Improving a Zoom+Pan Interface with Overview+Detail or Focus+Context Features: A Comparative Evaluation

J. Urquiza-Fuentes, C.A. Lázaro-Carrascosa and J.Á. Velázquez-Iturbide. In Engineering the User Interface From Research to Practice, 2008, Pages 221-238

Abstract. We present an evaluation of adding Focus+Context vs. Overview+Deatil features to a Zoom+Pan interface. The framework of the evaluation is an interface to deal with large sets of items with specific structural properties (sequential order, heterogeneous sizes), and behavior requirements (flexible interaction, maximizing screen space, minimizing changes in screen). The evaluation involved 43 participants. We studied the effect of three factors (namely, experience with the tasks, size of the sets, and tasks performed with the same set) on effectiveness, efficiency and user's satisfaction. The results show that experienced users of the interface enhanced with the Focus+Context features obtained the best results on effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, a satisfaction questionnaire showed that users felt more comfortable with the Focus+Context approach.

Human-Centered Aspects

Olga Kulyk, Robert Kosara, Jaime Urquiza and Ingo Wassink. In Human-Centered Visualization Environments, 2007, Pages 13-75

Abstract. Humans have remarkable perceptual capabilities. These capabilities are heavily underestimated in current visualizations. Often, this is due to the lack of an in-depth user study to set the requirements for optimal visualizations. The designer does not understand what kind of information should be visualized, how it should be presented or what kind of interactions should be supported. The key elements of successful information visualization are the correct data using the best visualization technique and the best interaction techniques with respect to users. If one of these elements is ignored, people might interpret the data in the wrong way and thus might not understand the underlying information or a pattern.