Comparing the Readability of Graph Layouts using Eyetracking and Task-oriented Analysis

Pohl, Mathias; Schmitt, Markus; Diehl, Stephan

Comparing the Readability of Graph Layouts using Eyetracking and Task-oriented Analysis

Files

049-056.pdf (767.45 KB)

Date

2009

Authors

Pohl, Mathias
Schmitt, Markus
Diehl, Stephan

Publisher

The Eurographics Association

Abstract

In this paper we present the results of a user study comparing the readability of force-directed, orthogonal, and hierarchical graph layouts. To this end we identified prototypical tasks which are solved using visual representations of graphs. Based on the correctness of answers and the related response time we evaluated for each task which layout is better suited. In addition, we found possible explanations for these results by analyzing the eye-tracking data. Finally, we discuss some implications of our findings for algorithm designers and application developers.

        @inproceedings{:10.2312/COMPAESTH/COMPAESTH09/049-056
,
booktitle = {Computational Aesthetics in Graphics, Visualization, and Imaging
},
editor = {Oliver Deussen and Peter Hall
},
title = {{Comparing the Readability of Graph Layouts using Eyetracking and Task-oriented Analysis
}},
author = {Pohl, Mathias and 
Schmitt, Markus and 
Diehl, Stephan
},
year = {2009
},
publisher = {The Eurographics Association
},
ISSN = {1816-0859
},
ISBN = {978-3-905674-17-0
},
DOI = {/10.2312/COMPAESTH/COMPAESTH09/049-056
}
}