We present a hybrid Immersive Analytics system to support asymmetrical collaboration between a pair of users during synchronous data exploration. The system consists of an immersive Virtual Reality application, a non-immersive web application, and a real-time communication interface connecting both applications to provide features to facilitate the collaborators' mutual understanding and their ability to make (spatial) references. We conducted a real world case study with pairs of language students, encouraging them to use the developed system to investigate a large multivariate Twitter dataset from a sociolinguistic perspective within an explorative analysis scenario. Based on the results of usability scores, log file analyses, observations, and interviews, we were able to validate the approach in general, and gain insights into the users' collaboration with respect to awareness, deixis, and group dynamics. CCS Concepts: • Human-centered computing → Virtual reality; Collaborative interaction; Empirical studies in HCI ; Collaborative and social computing.

In this article, we compare three different input technologies (gamepad, vision-based motion controls, room-scale) for an interactive virtual reality (VR) environment. The overall system is able to visualize (open) data from multiple online sources in a unified interface, enabling the user to browse and explore displayed information in an immersive VR setting. We conducted a user interaction study (n = 24 ; n = 8 per input technology, between-group design) to investigate experienced workload and perceived flow of interaction. Log files and observations allowed further insights and comparison of each condition. We have identified trends that indicate user preference of a visual (virtual) representation, but no clear trends regarding the application of physical controllers (over vision-based controls), in a scenario that encouraged exploration with no time limitations.

Collaboration is an essential part of data analysis, allowing multiple users to combine their expertise and to debate about the interpretation of data discoveries using their contextual knowledge. The design of collaborative interfaces within the context of Immersive Analytics remains challenging, particularly due to the various user-centered characteristics of immersive technologies. In this article, we present the use case of a system that enables multiple users to synchronously explore the same data in a collaborative scenario that combines immersive and non-immersive interfaces in an asymmetric role setup. Such a setup allows for bridging the gap when applying heterogeneous display and interaction technologies, enabling each analyst to have an independent and different view of the data, while maintaining important collaborative aspects during the joint data exploration. We developed an immersive VR environment (head-mounted display, 3D gestural input) and a non-immersive desktop terminal (monitor, keyboard and mouse) centered around spatio-temporal data exploration. Supported through a real-time communication interface, synchronous collaborative features are integrated in both interfaces, facilitating the users in their ability to establish a shared context and to make spatio-temporal references. We conducted an empirical evaluation with five participant pairs (within-subject design) to investigate aspects of usability, user engagement, and collaboration during a confirmative analysis task. Synthesis of questionnaire results in combination with additional log file analysis, audio activity analysis, and observations, revealed good usability scores, high user engagement, as well as overall close and balanced collaboration of enthusiastic pairs during the task completion independent of their interface type, validating our system approach in general. Further supported through the self-constructed Spatio-Temporal Collaboration Questionnaire, we are able to contribute with discussion and considerations of the presented scenario and the synchronous collaborative features for the design of similar applications.

In this paper, we present an approach to interact with time-oriented data in Virtual Reality within the context of Immersive Analytics. We implemented a Virtual Reality application that enables its user to explore data in an immersive environment (head-mounted display, 3D gestural input), utilizing potential advantages of immersive technologies, for instance, depth cues for better spatial understanding, natural interaction, and user engagement. The visualization design is inspired by the overall concept of a radar chart, and using the third dimension to represent time-series related data. We conducted a user study with 15 participants, encouraging them to examine a representative dataset within an explorative analysis scenario with no time constraints. Based on the results of usability and user engagement scores, task completion analysis, observations, and interviews, we were able to empirically validate the approach in general, and gain insights in the users' interaction and data analysis strategies. CCS Concepts: • Human-centered computing → Empirical studies in HCI; Interactive systems and tools; Virtual reality; Gestural input; Empirical studies in visualization; Visualization systems and tools.

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