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Abstract

This paper explores the use of visualization methods at two different levels of analytical detail (e.g., moving from a time-independent aggregated view to a more detailed time series analysis) of data derived from Reuters news tickers between September 11 and November 15, 2001. This data comprises a large, complex set of related words that presents an interesting analytical challenge. The relationships among words in the news articles were extracted using Centering Resonance Analysis (CRA). In this paper, we present two secondary analyses of the CRA networks. The first analysis involves a two-dimensional layered grid approach using convex hulls for examining the intersection and union of sets of words in the text in a two-dimensional projection. Additional SVG versions of these images allow exploration of the solutions interactively. The second approach involves the use of three-dimensional interactive visualizations and centrality analysis using the molecular visualization program Mage. A major guiding question of this work is the following: Can we gain knowledge about the conflicts within and dynamics of the "Bush team" from a visual exploration and analysis of the CRA data over the 66 days of the text? The analysis of the news text using these approaches suggests that Powell has played less of a role during the 66 days of the analysis then might be expected given his formal status as chief foreign policy advisor to the President.