Novel Method to Measure Inference Affordance in Static Small-Multiple Map Displays Representing Dynamic Processes

Abstract

Supported by eye-movement data collected during a controlled experiment on small-multiple map displays, a new concept coined inference affordance aimed at overcoming drawbacks of traditional empirical 'success' measures when evaluating static visual analytics displays and interactive visual analytics tools is proposed. Then, a novel visual analytics research methodology is outlined to quantify inference affordance, taking advantage of the well-known sequence alignment analyses techniques borrowed from bioinformatics. The presented visual analytics approach focuses on information reduction of large amounts of fine-grained eye-movement sequence data, including sequence categorisation and summarisation.

User studies in cartography: opportunities for empirical research on interactive maps and visualizations

“…Static maps can be conceptualized as individual scenes in an interactive sequence, with the interface enabling the user to determine the sequence of the presented static maps rather than having the cartographer prepare this sequence before viewing. Several potentially viable strategies for comparing static and interactive maps exist in the literature that leverage the idea of sequencing, including content analysis of functional designs between static and interactive maps (Fish & Calvert, 2015), use of small multiples for static trials (Fabrikant, Rebich-Hespanha, Andrienko, Andrienko, & Montello, 2008), and passive playback of video recordings of user interactions in place of static trials (Keehner, Hegarty, Cohen, Khooshabeh, & Montello, 2008). Finally, if comparison of static and interactive maps and visualizations is impossible or unpractical, we need better guidance on how static and interactive maps must be designed and evaluated differently.…”

Interpreting maps through the eyes of expert and novice users

“…Brodersen et al (2001), for example, investigated the symbology of analogue (paper) topographic maps. Fabrikant, et al (2008) and Coltekin et al (2010;2009) recorded participants' eye movements to evaluate animations and interactive interfaces related to the presentation of maps. These initial eye movement studies (using the improved eye tracking techniques) prove the suitability of eye movement research to investigate how users perceive these highly dynamic and interactive maps of the current digital era.…”

For your eyes only? Evaluating a coordinated and multiple views tool with a map, a parallel coordinated plot and a table using an eye-tracking approach

“…SAA allows for the identification of similarities between sequences of objects based on the frequency and position of the objects and the transition between them. It has previously been used within GIScience in general (Shoval andIsaacson 2007, Golebiowska 2015), and for eye movement studies in particular (Fabrikant et al 2008. As did the latter authors, we too used ClustalG software (Wilson 2008) to determine the sequences of the viewed AOIs for each task.…”

“…Since this technique records the location of fixations (stable points of regard, held for a length of time, which suggests that a person is reading the content at this location), it provides insight into visual behaviour in an unobtrusive manner (Fabrikant et al 2008). Eyetracking data, when combined with usability metrics (the accuracy and time of response), give answers to what users tend to look at, and why they do so.…”

“…We developed the Eye Movement AOI Aggregation Tool (EMAAT) using JavaScript and HTML5 with a web browser-based interface, since available eye-movement software lacked the required sophisticated functionality (Fabrikant et al 2008). The EMAAT filters eye-movement data based on tasks and the participants' IDs.…”