We conducted a study to systematically investigate the communication of complex dynamic processes along a two-dimensional design space, where the axes represent a representation's manifestation (physical or virtual) and operation (manual or automatic). We exemplify the design space on a model embodying cardiovascular pathologies, represented by a mechanism where a liquid is pumped into a draining vessel, with complications illustrated through modifications to the model. The results of a mixed-methods lab study with 28 participants show that both physical manifestation and manual operation have a strong positive impact on the audience's engagement. The study does not show a measurable knowledge increase with respect to cardiovascular pathologies using manually operated physical representations. However, subjectively, participants report a better understanding of the process-mainly through non-visual cues like haptics, but also auditory cues. The study also indicates an increased task load when interacting with the process, which, however, seems to play a minor role for the participants. Overall, the study shows a clear potential of physicalization for the communication of complex dynamic processes, which only fully unfold if observers have to chance to interact with the process.

翻译：我们开展了一项研究，旨在系统性地探讨复杂动态过程在二维设计空间中的沟通机制。该设计空间的两个坐标轴分别代表表征的呈现形式（物理或虚拟）与操作方式（手动或自动）。我们以心血管病理模型为例具象化该设计空间——该模型通过将液体泵入排水容器的机制模拟病理，并通过模型改造呈现并发症。针对28名参与者的混合方法实验室研究结果显示：物理呈现与手动操作均对观众参与度有显著正向影响。但研究未表明使用手动操作物理表征能显著提升受试者对心血管病理的知识掌握程度。然而主观层面上，参与者报告称通过触觉等非视觉线索（及听觉线索）获得了更好的过程理解。研究还指出，与过程互动时任务负荷有所增加，但这一因素对参与者影响较小。整体而言，研究揭示了物化在复杂动态过程沟通中的明确潜力——这种潜力仅在观察者拥有过程交互机会时才能充分展现。