The research in this dissertation was conducted in order to understand the ways in which scientific visualizations can influence the decision process of non-scientists. A wide variety of classical and novel methods were used in order to capture and analyze the decision process. Data were collected from non-scientists through role-play interviews on an interactive whiteboard, as well as a desktop eye-tracking device. These interviews were analyzed through qualitative content analysis, cognitive mapping decision analysis, and computerized network analysis. In the natural resource scenario given to these participants, these numerous techniques show that map style images promote the most complex, informed, and efficient decision strategies when compared to other visualizations or plain text. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]