Finance

Neuroscience

Cognitive map

Pure mathematics

Mathematics

Luminance

Thematic map

Politics

History

Cognition

Political science

Artificial intelligence

Psychology

Position (finance)

Economics

Geography

Legend

Representation (politics)

Spatial cognition

Computer science

Art history

Cartography

Field (mathematics)

Decoding methods

Telecommunications

The Cartographic Journal

Map legends are key elements of thematic maps and cartographic communication. The question of how to style map legends is a topic which has often been addressed by cartographic academics and practitioners. Nevertheless, the question of where to position a map legend has only hardly been discussed. Principles of cognitive sciences allow the assumption that a legend positioned to the right of a map field can be read and decoded faster than a legend on the left side. This study investigates the impact of legend positioning on legend decoding. It involves an experiment based on a recognition memory paradigm and the registration of eye-movements. The results show that, in less time, a legend positioned to the right of the map field (compared to a left legend) can be decoded faster. The same accuracy of a cognitive representation of geographic space can be achieved in spatial memory.

Searching for the ‘Right’ Legend: The Impact of Legend Position on Legend Decoding in a Cartographic Memory Task