Eye-tracking testing of data flow diagrams
Zdena DOBEŠOVÁ
Geographic information systems (GIS) are supplemented by components for design data flow diagrams (DFD) in a graphical way. The data flow diagrams are oriented graphs where graphical elements are connected by straight or curved lines. Eye tracking testing is used for investigation the quality of graphical notation from the point of perception and cognition. The tests have processed several graphical editors for DFD in GIS. They are ModelBuilder in ArcGIS for Desktop, Macro Modeler in IDRISI, Model Maker and Spatial Model Editor in ERDAS IMAGINE, Dataflow Designer in AutoCAD Map 3D, Processing Modeler in QGIS and Graphical Modeler in GRASS GIS.
Result heat maps of diagram, gaze plots of diagram and time responses could discover the level of perceptual discriminability, dual codding and visual expressiveness of graphic elements in diagrams. Gaze plots report the direction of respondent reading for various orientations of diagrams (left–right, top-down orientation, mixed orientation).
Moreover, the ERA diagrams were tested by eye-tracking for geodatabase design in ArcGIS Diagrammer.
Final results of eye-tracking testing can be compared with the results obtained by applying Daniel Moody’s scientific theory “Physics of Notation”. The results can help to improve graphical notation of DFD for GIS.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Dobesova, Z. (2017) Empirical testing of bends in workflow diagrams by eyetracking method In: Silhavy R., Silhavy P., Prokopova Z., Senkerik R., Kominkova Oplatkova Z. (eds) Software Engineering Trends and Techniques in Intelligent Systems. CSOC 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 575. Springer, Cham, ISSN 2194-5357, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-57141-6_17
Dobesova, Z. (2016) Student reading strategies of GIS workflow diagrams, 2nd International Conference on Humanities and Social Science Research (ICHSSR), July 29-31, 2016 Singapore, Wuhan University of Technology, China, Journal Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, Atlantis Press, ISBN 978-94-6252-235-0, ISSN 2352-5398. Vol. 70, pp. 319-325, DOI: 10.2991/ichssr-16.2016.68
Dobesova, Z., Malcik, M. (2015): Workflow Diagrams and Pupil Dilatation in Eye-tracking Testing, ICETA 2015, Proceedings of 13th International Conference on Emerging eLearning Technologies and Applications, IEEE, elfa, Starý Smokovec, Slovensko, 26.-27. listopadu 2015, pp. 59-64, ISBN 978-1-4673-8534-3, DOI: 10.1109/ICETA.2015.7558460
Kudelka, V., Dobesova Z. (2015): Eye-tracking testing of GIS interfaces, Proceedings of SGEM 2015, 15th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Volume I, STEF92 Technology Ltd. Sofia, Bulharsko, 18-24 June 2015, pp. 585-592, ISBN 978-619-7105-34-6, DOI: 10.5593/sgem2015B21.
Dobesova Z., Lackova, L., Malcik, M. (2015): Perception and Cognition of Different Types of Graphic Notations as a Source of Information in Applied Informatics, Proceedings of SACI 2015, 10th Jubilee IEEE International Symposium on Applied Computational Intelligence and Informatics, Timisoara, Rumunsko, May 21–23, 2015, pp. 209-214, ISBN978-1-4799-9910-1, DOI: 10.1109/SACI.2015.7208201.
Brychtová, A., Popelka, S., Dobešová, Z.(2012): Eye-tracking methods for investigation of cartographic principles. SGEM 2012 Conference Proceedings Volume II STEF92 Technology Ltd., Sofia, Bulgaria, 1041-1048s.ISSN 1341-2704