We studied the way in which experienced statisticians handle the output of a correspondence analysis program, in order to investigate the possibility of computerized support for the interpretation of complex output from statistical software. Four experts participated in this study, all with experience in consultation and with a high level of theoretical knowledge on the subject. In ‘thinking-aloud sessions' they tried to reach conclusions from two forms of output (first without and then with indication of the meaning of variables). We present results on rule-based reasoning by the experts. Suggestions are given for the application of these results in the construction of an intelligent user interface for correspondence analysis.