Making graph visualization a user-centered process

Huang, W; Luo, J; Bednarz, T; Duh, H

Making graph visualization a user-centered process

Huang, W

Luo, J Bednarz, T Duh, H

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Publisher:: ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Visual Languages and Computing, 2018, 48, pp. 1-8
Issue Date:: 2018-10-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Huang, W https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5190-7839
dc.contributor.author	Luo, J
dc.contributor.author	Bednarz, T
dc.contributor.author	Duh, H
dc.date.accessioned	2022-08-24T04:30:27Z
dc.date.available	2022-08-24T04:30:27Z
dc.date.issued	2018-10-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Visual Languages and Computing, 2018, 48, pp. 1-8
dc.identifier.issn	1045-926X
dc.identifier.issn	1095-8533
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160783
dc.description.abstract	Many problems in application domains deal with graphs. Graphs are often visualized into node-link diagrams for better understanding of them. Traditionally, graphs are visualized to meet some pre-defined quality metrics, or aesthetics. It is commonly agreed that graphs that are drawn based on aesthetics are more likely to be not only beautiful but also comprehensible. However, those aesthetics were originally proposed by researchers based on their intuitions from a designer's perspective. Although some of them have been empirically validated, to produce truly user cognitively friendly visualizations,well-grounded cognitive theories and design guidelines are needed. In this paper, we attempt to explore a cognitive approach that follows a user-centered process in visualizing graphs. We begin by proposing a graph visualization model, which is further conceptualized into a two-stage assessment cycle. It is argued that to provide effective cognitive support, it is essential to understand the cognitive process of a particular task in association with the attributes of the end user and the visual representation, and that to develop a set of design principles, what cognitive processes or graph reading strategies are involved should be part of evaluation. We materialized the model by reviewing the literature and providing relevant examples in the context of providing cognitive support and understanding cognitive process. We introduce theories from other disciplines such as perceptual and cognitive psychology, summarize methodologies that have been used in prior research, and discuss their implications for producing user-centered visualizations.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Visual Languages and Computing
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jvlc.2018.07.001
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, 0803 Computer Software, 1702 Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Software Engineering
dc.title	Making graph visualization a user-centered process
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	48
utslib.for	0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing
utslib.for	0803 Computer Software
utslib.for	1702 Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Provost
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Provost/TD School
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-08-24T04:30:26Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	48

Abstract:

Many problems in application domains deal with graphs. Graphs are often visualized into node-link diagrams for better understanding of them. Traditionally, graphs are visualized to meet some pre-defined quality metrics, or aesthetics. It is commonly agreed that graphs that are drawn based on aesthetics are more likely to be not only beautiful but also comprehensible. However, those aesthetics were originally proposed by researchers based on their intuitions from a designer's perspective. Although some of them have been empirically validated, to produce truly user cognitively friendly visualizations,well-grounded cognitive theories and design guidelines are needed. In this paper, we attempt to explore a cognitive approach that follows a user-centered process in visualizing graphs. We begin by proposing a graph visualization model, which is further conceptualized into a two-stage assessment cycle. It is argued that to provide effective cognitive support, it is essential to understand the cognitive process of a particular task in association with the attributes of the end user and the visual representation, and that to develop a set of design principles, what cognitive processes or graph reading strategies are involved should be part of evaluation. We materialized the model by reviewing the literature and providing relevant examples in the context of providing cognitive support and understanding cognitive process. We introduce theories from other disciplines such as perceptual and cognitive psychology, summarize methodologies that have been used in prior research, and discuss their implications for producing user-centered visualizations.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/160783