Authors:
Lisa Falschlunger
;
Christoph Eisl
;
Heimo Losbichler
and
Elisabeth Grabmann
Affiliation:
University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Austria
Keyword(s):
Information Visualisation, Cognition Processes, Perception Processes, Eye Tracking, Report Optimization.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Abstract Data Visualization
;
Computer Vision, Visualization and Computer Graphics
;
Data Management and Knowledge Representation
;
General Data Visualization
;
Graph Visualization
;
Interpretation and Evaluation Methods
;
Perception and Cognition in Visualization
;
Usability Studies and Visualization
Abstract:
The success of visualisations is determined by the ability of users to retrieve relevant information in an
effective and efficient way. The way in which information is perceived can be analysed by examining visual
search strategies of users. Visual search strategies in graphical representations however, are individual and
have not been well explored up to now. Recent studies show that eye tracking experiments help in gaining
new insights into these strategies. Apart from error rates and task completion times, eye tracking focuses on
the way observers of visualisations read and make sense of the presented stimulus. In this way sequential
strategies can be analysed, compared and used in order to optimize graphical layouts. In this study we use
the approach of Parallel Scan Path visualisation in combination with Levenshtein Distance to determine
similarities between search strings when viewing graphical representations in standardized business communication.
This study shows a
positive correlation between search strategies and task completion time and
allows the evaluation of different design layouts. Positive significant effects can be detected when examining
experience (with respect to standardized and repetitive reporting) and layout optimization (with respect
to graphical representations and page layout). Optimal search strategies can be identified when users are experienced
and using an optimized layout.
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