Visual analytics experts realize that one effective way to push the field forward and to develop metrics for measuring the performance of various visual analytics components is to hold an annual competition. The first Visual Analytics Science and Technology (VAST) contest was held in conjunction with the 2006 IEEE Visualization Conference. The competition entailed the identification of possible political shenanigans in the fictitious town of Alderwood. A synthetic data set was made available as well as tasks. We summarize how we prepared and advertised the contest, developed some initial metrics for evaluation, selected winners, and ran an additional live competition at the conference to provide the winners feedback from senior analysts.
Revised: December 22, 2008 |
Published: October 29, 2006
Citation
Whiting M.A., J. Scholtz, C. Plaisant, G. Grinstein, T. O'Connell, and S. Laskowski. 2006.VAST 2006 Contest – A tale of Alderwood. In IEEE Symposium on Visual Analytics Science and Technology 2006, 215-216. Baltimore, Maryland:IEEE.PNNL-SA-51322.