In the field of data visualisation, the interaction between technology and human perception has advanced significantly, bringing people closer to vast amounts of information through graphical representations that enhance their ability to analyse and understand complex data. As artificial intelligence (AI) and visualisation technologies advance, the potential to transform massive data sets into accessible and intuitive knowledge has made visualisation a cornerstone of data science, allowing users to identify patterns, establish correlations and improve decision-making. However, this technological transformation must take into account the diverse perspectives and knowledge levels of users interacting with these tools, particularly in multidisciplinary contexts.

In this study, we present research on the behaviour of two groups of students when engaging with interactive graphs representing historical and cultural data. One group comes from an undergraduate data science programme, and the other from two master's programmes in art history and cultural heritage. Through a structured survey, we assessed how each group perceived, interpreted and managed maps and graphs, analysing the differences and similarities in their approaches and interaction skills. This interdisciplinary approach has allowed us to identify specific challenges in creating visualisations tailored to different audiences, and to reflect on how best to optimise the accessibility and effectiveness of graphical tools for different academic profiles.

The study focuses on the altarpieces available in CER.es (CER.es- Museos, 2024), an online collective catalogue that gathers information and images of an important amount (ca. 200,000) of cultural assets from the museums that make up the Red Digital de Colecciones Museográficas de España (Digital Network of Museum Collections of Spain).

The main objective of this study is to determine whether there are significant differences in the perceptions of the two groups of students, each from different academic disciplines, regarding the visualisation of records about altarpieces on CER.es. The study aims to analyse the answers to five specific research questions using a Likert scale. Each research question was accompanied by several visualisations in order to assess whether its type influenced the answers. By comparing the responses of the two groups, the study aims to discover any significant differences in their interpretations and preferences.

The survey assessed each group's ability to interpret, utilise and draw meaningful conclusions from these visual representations. By analysing differences in perception, interaction styles and data interpretation skills, this research sheds light on the particular needs and challenges that arise when designing visualisation tools for diverse audiences. Our findings provide valuable insights into how visualisation can be adapted to support effective data engagement across disciplines, fostering a more inclusive approach to data-driven decision making and knowledge acquisition.

Keywords: Visualization, Interactive graphics, Cultural Heritage, Evaluation, User usability.