Brushing Histories to Compare Models

A common high level task for the user of complex modelling software is making comparisons between models. The differences between the current and previous models guide future modelling efforts and model acceptance. This paper explores an interactive graphical paradigm to support this task. The computer displays the state history—the series of states the system takes one—corresponds closely to a series of formal models in the mind of the user. The user can brush—temporarily select—previous models through this display. During this brushing, probes—graphical displays of model statistics—track the corresponding models. This interaction with previous states simplifies the task of comparing models. The paper illustrates these ideas with applications to decision analysis (graphical models) and statistical model fitting.