Reverse engineering digital data: Enhancing understanding of digital information through the creation of data-objects

这项研究将探讨如何创建物理文物或“数据对象”的基础上提取的数据从复杂的数字信息系统可以改变我们阅读，解释和响应计算机生成的科学信息的方式。我们将研究数据对象如何促进对工程/科学部门以外的不同社区的技术数据的认知访问，作为传达复杂统计信息的另一种方式。这项研究的前提是，科学图形对于科学界以外的人来说仍然是抽象和难以理解的，如果是这种情况，那么我们需要探索其他方法来可视化通过使用计算技术产生的日益复杂和密集的数据。在第一项研究中，我们使用收集的年龄，力量和灵活性的工程统计数据，以及这种与包装“可打开性”的关系作为创建数据对象的起点。我们将特别关注这些类型的干预措施如何帮助设计师、医护人员和护理人员理解这些数据。这些数据对象将通过将数字信息/统计数据转换为3D计算机模型来创建，然后可以使用3D打印技术将其输出为现实世界的对象。该研究将探索基于材料的数据对象的创建是否可以更好地理解和增加对科学数据的可访问性。

This research will explore how the creation of physical artifacts or 'data-objects' based on data extracted from complex digital information systems can change the way we read, interpret and respond to computer-generated scientific information. We will examine how data-objects can facilitate cognitive access to technical data to different communities beyond the engineering/scientific sector, as an alternative way of communicating complex statistical information. The research is based on the premise that scientific graphics remain abstract and unintelligible for people outside of the scientific community and that if this the case, then we need to explore alternative ways in which to visualise the increasingly complex and dense data which is being generated through the use of computing technologies. In this first study we are using engineering statistics gathered on age, strength and dexterity and this relationship to packaging 'openability' as the starting point for the creation of data-objects. We will be looking specifically at how these types of interventions can assist designers, healthcare workers and care seekers in the understanding of this data.These data-objects will be created by translating digital information/statistics into 3D computer models, which can then be output into real-world objects using 3D printing techniques. The research will explore if the creation of material based data-objects can bringing better understanding and increased accessibility to scientific data.