Adding temporal information to social network visualizations is still a challenging task despite ... more Adding temporal information to social network visualizations is still a challenging task despite previous research efforts. Visualizing call logs on an event-based level can show various attributes of a connection. The dimension time is of great interest to analysts as it offers insights into trends and patterns such as changing relationships between different actors or economic opportunities for businesses. Yet current approaches suffer from limitations that can be improved with the visualization design presented in this work. Our presented visualization was developed considering aesthetic criteria and characteristics of adjacency matrices and node-link diagrams. A heuristic evaluation according to these criteria was conducted. In a formative evaluation process, an artificial dataset was specifically created to examine dynamic social networks. A qualitative user study with observation and think-aloud protocols was conducted and analyzed with regard to the user’s strategies, limitat...
The development of information visualizations for companies poses specific challenges, especially... more The development of information visualizations for companies poses specific challenges, especially for evaluation processes. It is advisable to test these visualizations under realistic circumstances. Because of various constraints, this can be quite difficult. In this paper, we discuss three different methods which can be used to conduct evaluations in companies. These methods are appropriate for different stages in the software life cycle (design phase, development, deployment) and reflect an iterative approach in evaluation. Based on an overview of available evaluation methods we argue that this combination of fairly lightweight methods is especially appropriate for evaluations of information visualizations in companies. These methods complement each other and emphasize different aspects of the evaluation. Based on this case study, we try to generalize our lessons learned from our experiences of conducting evaluations in this context.
Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Information Visualisation, 2005
Comparing different Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques is a challenging task and a ne... more Comparing different Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques is a challenging task and a necessary step to reach the users and their tasks. We evaluated the effectiveness in visualizing psychotherapeutic data of two InfoVis techniques, namely the Stardinates and the Parallel Coordinates by a comparative study with 22 participants. Based on three research questions we interpret the results of our study in order to derive statements on both visualization techniques. We evaluated (1) the time participants were engaged in testing our material, (2) the number of correct answers, (3) subjects' statements, which were categorized by the type of statement, and (4) the subjects' key statements in comparison to those defined by an expert. Our empirical results indicate that the Stardinates are a more appropriate method for interpreting such highly structured data in detail whereas Parallel Coordinates show advantages for gaining information at the first glance.
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2016
Animated scatterplot visualizations promise to be useful tools for analyzing trends in time-orien... more Animated scatterplot visualizations promise to be useful tools for analyzing trends in time-oriented data. We evaluated such a visualization for the analysis of time-oriented medical data. We found 10 medical professionals to test the software which visualizes clinical diabetes patient cohorts. To analyze the usability of the software, the methods "Thinking Aloud" and structured interviews were used. Results show that animated scatterplots do support medical professionals in their daily work, in contrast to more negative results of scientific research in the past.
e & i Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, 2005
an online course in sustainable product design has been developed. The aim of this course is to o... more an online course in sustainable product design has been developed. The aim of this course is to offer vocational training for professionals in product design. The interface of the e-learning system is easy to understand. The whole system is adapted to the needs of the target group. Communication and cooperation play an important role for the e-learning system. Extensive evaluation is supposed to ensure the effectivity of the system.
Game Based Learning seems to be an interesting new possibility of teaching and learning, but the ... more Game Based Learning seems to be an interesting new possibility of teaching and learning, but the effort spent on designing games and the possible positive outcomes have to be weighed carefully. The following paper describes the development process and the conceptual design of a simulation game on sustainability for teenagers. The design process is participatory in nature. Members of the future group of learners are involved in the design process at every stage. This involvement is especially important to overcome the contradiction between the goal of the game as such and the pedagogical goal of the designers.
Game Based Learning seems to be an interesting new possibility of teaching and learning, but the ... more Game Based Learning seems to be an interesting new possibility of teaching and learning, but the effort spent on designing games and the possible positive outcomes have to be weighed carefully. The following paper describes the development process and the conceptual design of a simulation game on sustainability for teenagers. The design process is participatory in nature. Members of the
Interactive Game-Based Learning might be used to raise the awareness of students concerning quest... more Interactive Game-Based Learning might be used to raise the awareness of students concerning questions of sustainability. Sustainability is a very complex topic. By interacting with a simulation game, students can get a more detailed and holistic conception of how sustainability can be achieved in everyday purchasing situations. The SuLi (Sustainable Living) game was developed to achieve this goal. In an evaluation study we found evidence that SuLi is an interesting alternative to more traditional approaches to learning. Nevertheless, there are still many open questions, as, e.g., whether one should combine simulation games with other forms of teaching and learning or how to design simulation games so that students really acquire detailed concepts of the domain.
Proceedings of the 2006 AVI workshop on BEyond time and errors novel evaluation methods for information visualization - BELIV '06, 2006
Developing Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques for complex knowledge domains makes it ... more Developing Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques for complex knowledge domains makes it necessary to apply alternative methods of evaluation. In the evaluation of Gravi++ we used several methods and studied different user groups. We developed a reporting system yielding data about the insights the subjects gained during the exploration. It provides complex information about subjects' reasoning processes. Log files are valuable for time-dependent analysis of cognitive strategies. Focus groups provide a different view on the process of gaining insights. We assume that our experiences with all these methods can also be applied in similar evaluation studies on InfoVis techniques for complex data.
Ninth International Conference on Information Visualisation (IV'05), 2005
Comparing different Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques is a challenging task and a ne... more Comparing different Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques is a challenging task and a necessary step to reach the users and their tasks. We evaluated the effectiveness in visualizing psychotherapeutic data of two InfoVis techniques, namely the Stardinates and the Parallel Coordinates by a comparative study with 22 participants. Based on three research questions we interpret the results of our study in order to derive statements on both visualization techniques. We evaluated (1) the time participants were engaged in testing our material, (2) the number of correct answers, (3) subjects' statements, which were categorized by the type of statement, and (4) the subjects' key statements in comparison to those defined by an expert. Our empirical results indicate that the Stardinates are a more appropriate method for interpreting such highly structured data in detail whereas Parallel Coordinates show advantages for gaining information at the first glance.
Adding temporal information to social network visualizations is still a challenging task despite ... more Adding temporal information to social network visualizations is still a challenging task despite previous research efforts. Visualizing call logs on an event-based level can show various attributes of a connection. The dimension time is of great interest to analysts as it offers insights into trends and patterns such as changing relationships between different actors or economic opportunities for businesses. Yet current approaches suffer from limitations that can be improved with the visualization design presented in this work. Our presented visualization was developed considering aesthetic criteria and characteristics of adjacency matrices and node-link diagrams. A heuristic evaluation according to these criteria was conducted. In a formative evaluation process, an artificial dataset was specifically created to examine dynamic social networks. A qualitative user study with observation and think-aloud protocols was conducted and analyzed with regard to the user’s strategies, limitat...
The development of information visualizations for companies poses specific challenges, especially... more The development of information visualizations for companies poses specific challenges, especially for evaluation processes. It is advisable to test these visualizations under realistic circumstances. Because of various constraints, this can be quite difficult. In this paper, we discuss three different methods which can be used to conduct evaluations in companies. These methods are appropriate for different stages in the software life cycle (design phase, development, deployment) and reflect an iterative approach in evaluation. Based on an overview of available evaluation methods we argue that this combination of fairly lightweight methods is especially appropriate for evaluations of information visualizations in companies. These methods complement each other and emphasize different aspects of the evaluation. Based on this case study, we try to generalize our lessons learned from our experiences of conducting evaluations in this context.
Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Information Visualisation, 2005
Comparing different Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques is a challenging task and a ne... more Comparing different Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques is a challenging task and a necessary step to reach the users and their tasks. We evaluated the effectiveness in visualizing psychotherapeutic data of two InfoVis techniques, namely the Stardinates and the Parallel Coordinates by a comparative study with 22 participants. Based on three research questions we interpret the results of our study in order to derive statements on both visualization techniques. We evaluated (1) the time participants were engaged in testing our material, (2) the number of correct answers, (3) subjects' statements, which were categorized by the type of statement, and (4) the subjects' key statements in comparison to those defined by an expert. Our empirical results indicate that the Stardinates are a more appropriate method for interpreting such highly structured data in detail whereas Parallel Coordinates show advantages for gaining information at the first glance.
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2016
Animated scatterplot visualizations promise to be useful tools for analyzing trends in time-orien... more Animated scatterplot visualizations promise to be useful tools for analyzing trends in time-oriented data. We evaluated such a visualization for the analysis of time-oriented medical data. We found 10 medical professionals to test the software which visualizes clinical diabetes patient cohorts. To analyze the usability of the software, the methods "Thinking Aloud" and structured interviews were used. Results show that animated scatterplots do support medical professionals in their daily work, in contrast to more negative results of scientific research in the past.
e & i Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, 2005
an online course in sustainable product design has been developed. The aim of this course is to o... more an online course in sustainable product design has been developed. The aim of this course is to offer vocational training for professionals in product design. The interface of the e-learning system is easy to understand. The whole system is adapted to the needs of the target group. Communication and cooperation play an important role for the e-learning system. Extensive evaluation is supposed to ensure the effectivity of the system.
Game Based Learning seems to be an interesting new possibility of teaching and learning, but the ... more Game Based Learning seems to be an interesting new possibility of teaching and learning, but the effort spent on designing games and the possible positive outcomes have to be weighed carefully. The following paper describes the development process and the conceptual design of a simulation game on sustainability for teenagers. The design process is participatory in nature. Members of the future group of learners are involved in the design process at every stage. This involvement is especially important to overcome the contradiction between the goal of the game as such and the pedagogical goal of the designers.
Game Based Learning seems to be an interesting new possibility of teaching and learning, but the ... more Game Based Learning seems to be an interesting new possibility of teaching and learning, but the effort spent on designing games and the possible positive outcomes have to be weighed carefully. The following paper describes the development process and the conceptual design of a simulation game on sustainability for teenagers. The design process is participatory in nature. Members of the
Interactive Game-Based Learning might be used to raise the awareness of students concerning quest... more Interactive Game-Based Learning might be used to raise the awareness of students concerning questions of sustainability. Sustainability is a very complex topic. By interacting with a simulation game, students can get a more detailed and holistic conception of how sustainability can be achieved in everyday purchasing situations. The SuLi (Sustainable Living) game was developed to achieve this goal. In an evaluation study we found evidence that SuLi is an interesting alternative to more traditional approaches to learning. Nevertheless, there are still many open questions, as, e.g., whether one should combine simulation games with other forms of teaching and learning or how to design simulation games so that students really acquire detailed concepts of the domain.
Proceedings of the 2006 AVI workshop on BEyond time and errors novel evaluation methods for information visualization - BELIV '06, 2006
Developing Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques for complex knowledge domains makes it ... more Developing Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques for complex knowledge domains makes it necessary to apply alternative methods of evaluation. In the evaluation of Gravi++ we used several methods and studied different user groups. We developed a reporting system yielding data about the insights the subjects gained during the exploration. It provides complex information about subjects' reasoning processes. Log files are valuable for time-dependent analysis of cognitive strategies. Focus groups provide a different view on the process of gaining insights. We assume that our experiences with all these methods can also be applied in similar evaluation studies on InfoVis techniques for complex data.
Ninth International Conference on Information Visualisation (IV'05), 2005
Comparing different Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques is a challenging task and a ne... more Comparing different Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques is a challenging task and a necessary step to reach the users and their tasks. We evaluated the effectiveness in visualizing psychotherapeutic data of two InfoVis techniques, namely the Stardinates and the Parallel Coordinates by a comparative study with 22 participants. Based on three research questions we interpret the results of our study in order to derive statements on both visualization techniques. We evaluated (1) the time participants were engaged in testing our material, (2) the number of correct answers, (3) subjects' statements, which were categorized by the type of statement, and (4) the subjects' key statements in comparison to those defined by an expert. Our empirical results indicate that the Stardinates are a more appropriate method for interpreting such highly structured data in detail whereas Parallel Coordinates show advantages for gaining information at the first glance.
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Papers by Margit Pohl