Representing time intervals in a two-dimensional space: An empirical study

Abstract

ObjectiveInstead of the linear model (LM), time intervals can be represented by a two-dimensional (2D) model, which is called the Triangular Model (TM). Although the TM has been introduced for decades and applied in some areas, there still a lack of empirical studies on its usability. To fill this gap, this study aims to evaluate how people perform when using the TM to answer questions on time intervals, in comparison with using the traditional LM. MethodAround 250 novice participants took part in the experiment, which consisted of a video training, a pretest and posttest. The video training introduced the basic knowledge of temporal relations and the two representations. The pretest allowed participants to practice the knowledge they have learned and receive feedbacks of the answers. In the posttest, participants' accuracy and speed when answering the questions were recorded for analysis.The results of using the TM and the LM were compared in pairs. The null hypothesis is that the participants produce equal results with the two models. ResultThe results showed that the participants scored better and spent less time when answering questions with the TM, which rejected the null hypothesis. Moreover, the score and speed when they used the TM did decline in the questions containing a larger number of intervals.In contrast, the score and accuracy when they used the LM declined when questions containing a larger number of intervals. Conclusion-The TM is easy to learn. After a 20-minute training, novice participants can use it to solve questions and produce satisfactory result.-The TM is easy and efficient for visual queries of time intervals.-The TM is easy to use for handling a large number of intervals. Implication-The TM can be widely applied in analysing time intervals and linear data.-Tools implementing the TM can be learned and used by novice users.3

Multi-scale analysis of linear data in a two-dimensional space

“…At the moment, available empirical evidence has pointed out the advantages of the TM in visualizing discrete time intervals. 41 Our next step is to quantitatively evaluate the usability of the CTM and its implementations before introducing them to a broader range of users. Not only limited to linear data, the transformation of the CTM can be used to represent cyclic data.…”

Re-Arranging Space, Time and Scales in GIS: Alternative Models for Multi-Scale Spatio-Temporal Modeling and Analyses

“…The utilities of the TM have been demonstrated in analyses of archeological data, mobility data, and sports data. Despite that the TM has subverted the traditional linear view of time, it does show better performance in visualizing temporal information than the linear model, which has been confirmed in an empirical study with about 250 human participants [18]. Later, Van de Weghe et al [19] proposed a conceptual framework for multi-scale spatio-temporal analyses, which integrates the TM and the pyramid model (an extension of the TM for spatial data).…”

“…J. Geo-Inf. 2019, 8 FOR PEER REVIEW A comparison of the line chart (a) and TM representation (b) of the moving speed of a soccer player in a game (adapted from[18]).…”

Overview of Time Issues with Temporal Logics for Business Process Models

“…We present how to represent the Allen's algebra relations using BPMN notation. As it was proven empirically in [8], representing relations using the 2D models is efficient in terms of understanding temporal aspects of time intervals.…”