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research-article

On the perception of graph layouts

Authors:

Lisa Grabinger,

Florian Hauser,

Jürgen MottokAuthors Info & Claims

Journal of Software: Evolution and Process, Volume 36, Issue 5

https://doi.org/10.1002/smr.2599

Published: 25 July 2023 Publication History

Abstract

In the field of software engineering, graph‐based models are used for a variety of applications. Usually, the layout of those graphs is determined at the discretion of the user. This article empirically investigates whether different layouts affect the comprehensibility or popularity of a graph and whether one can predict the perception of certain aspects in the graph using basic graphical laws from psychology (i.e., Gestalt principles). Data on three distinct layouts of one causal graph is collected from 29 subjects using eye tracking and a print questionnaire. The evaluation of the collected data suggests that the layout of a graph does matter and that the Gestalt principles are a valuable tool for assessing partial aspects of a layout.

Graphical Abstract

With a controlled experiment using eye tracking and a print questionnaire, we found that 1) different layouts affect the comprehensibility and popularity of graph‐based models and 2) one can predict the perception of certain aspects in the graph using basic graphical laws from psychology (i.e., Gestalt principles).

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Cited By

Grabinger LMottok J(2024)Statistical Analysis of Eye Movement Data for BeginnersProceedings of Mensch und Computer 202410.1145/3670653.3670678(21-28)Online publication date: 1-Sep-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3670653.3670678
Mottok JHauser FGrabinger LEzer TEngl F(2024)An Educational Perspective on Eye Tracking in Engineering SciencesProceedings of the 2024 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications10.1145/3649902.3653945(1-7)Online publication date: 4-Jun-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3649902.3653945
Grabinger LHauser FWolff CMottok J(2024)On Eye Tracking in Software EngineeringSN Computer Science10.1007/s42979-024-03045-35:6Online publication date: 26-Jul-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s42979-024-03045-3

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Published In

cover image Journal of Software: Evolution and Process

Journal of Software: Evolution and Process Volume 36, Issue 5

May 2024

597 pages

EISSN:2047-7481

DOI:10.1002/smr.v36.5

Issue’s Table of Contents

© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Software: Evolution and Process published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

United States

Publication History

Published: 25 July 2023

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Cited By

Grabinger LMottok J(2024)Statistical Analysis of Eye Movement Data for BeginnersProceedings of Mensch und Computer 202410.1145/3670653.3670678(21-28)Online publication date: 1-Sep-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3670653.3670678
Mottok JHauser FGrabinger LEzer TEngl F(2024)An Educational Perspective on Eye Tracking in Engineering SciencesProceedings of the 2024 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications10.1145/3649902.3653945(1-7)Online publication date: 4-Jun-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3649902.3653945
Grabinger LHauser FWolff CMottok J(2024)On Eye Tracking in Software EngineeringSN Computer Science10.1007/s42979-024-03045-35:6Online publication date: 26-Jul-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s42979-024-03045-3

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