User Evaluation of Map-Based Visual Analytic Tools

Stanislav Popelka,Tomas Řezník,Jiří Bouchal,Michaela Pařilová,Karel Charvát,Michal Kepka,Lukáš Herman,Karel Jedlička

doi:10.3390/ijgi8080363

Abstract

Big data have also become a big challenge for cartographers, as the majority of big data may be localized. The use of visual analytics tools, as well as comprising interactive maps, stimulates inter-disciplinary actors to explore new ideas and decision-making methods. This paper deals with the evaluation of three map-based visual analytics tools by means of the eye-tracking method. The conceptual part of the paper begins with an analysis of the state-of-the-art and ends with the design of proof-of-concept experiments. The verification part consists of the design, composition, and realization of the conducted eye-tracking experiment, in which three map-based visual analytics tools were tested in terms of user-friendliness. A set of recommendations on GUI (graphical user interface) design and interactive functionality for map makers is formulated on the basis of the discovered errors and shortcomings in the assessed stimuli. The results of the verification were used as inputs for improving the three tested map-based visual analytics tools and might serve as a best practice for map-based visual analytics tools in general, as well as for improving the policy making cycle as elaborated by the European project PoliVisu (Policy Development based on Advanced Geospatial Data Analytics and Visualization).

Highlights

The flood of data, the speed of real-time updates, very complex relations between any piece of information, high bias, and less time for decision making have become common features of today’s world
The results of eye-tracking measurements were divided into two sections—one for the static part and oTnheeforerstuhletsdoyfneayme-ictrpacakrti.nRgemcoemasmureenmdeantitosnws etoreaduitvhiodresdoifnwtoetbwmoaspecstbioanses—d oonnethfeorfitnhdeisntgastiocfptahrits satnuddyoanreefloisrttehdeadt ythneamenicd poafrtth. eRcehcaopmtemr.endations to authors of web maps based on the findings of this study are listed at the end of the chapter
The main goal of this paper was to evaluate from the user and user accessibility points of view three newly designed interactive analytical applications developed in the PoliVisu project to visualize processed big data

Summary

Introduction

The flood of data, the speed of (near) real-time updates, very complex relations between any piece of information, high bias, and less time for decision making have become common features of today’s world. Cartography, geographic information systems, and web-based applications address such issues in many ways, visual analytics being one such application [1,2,3]. Visual analytics has gone beyond the state-of-the-art through the utilization of geographic information gained from (big) data. Such an approach stimulates innovative thinking about complex challenges [4]. Visual analytics techniques and tools are used to synthesize information and derive insights from big and dynamic data, detect the expected and discover the unexpected, and provide understandable assessments and communicate them effectively [5]. The use of interactive maps, heat maps, and charts to understand user behavior (e.g., shifts in traffic flows/volume due to changing events) enables inter-disciplinary actors to explore new ideas together in a holistic, comprehensive, systematic, analytical, and visual manner before deploying costly solutions

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion