Exploring the Visualization Design Space with Repertory Grids

Abstract

Figure 1: Repertory grid technique applied to information visualization: A Construct elicitation by formulating bipolar terms to describe the visualizations. B Each visualization is assessed according to the formulated terms. C Qualitative and quantitative analysis methods provide insight into important factors for visualization design. AbstractThere is an ongoing discussion in the visualization community about the relevant factors that render a visualization effective, expressive, memorable, aesthetically pleasing, etc. These factors lead to a large design space for visualizations. To explore this design space, qualitative research methods based on observations and interviews are often necessary. We describe an interview method that allows us to systematically acquire and assess important factors from subjective answers by interviewees. To this end, we adopt the repertory grid methodology in the context of visualization. It is based on the personal construct theory: each personality interprets a topic based on a set of personal, basic constructs expressed as contrasts. For the individual interpretation of visualizations, this means that these personal terms can be very different, depending on numerous influences, such as the prior experiences of the interviewed person. We present an interviewing process, visual interface, and qualitative and quantitative analysis procedures that are specifically devised to fit the needs of visualization applications. A showcase interview with 15 typical static information visualizations and 10 participants demonstrates that our approach is effective in identifying common constructs as well as individual differences. In particular, we investigate differences between expert and nonexpert interviewees. Finally, we discuss the differences to other qualitative methods and how the repertory grid can be embedded in existing theoretical frameworks of visualization research for the design process.

Exploring the Design Space of Aesthetics with the Repertory Grid Technique

“…These constructs are divided into the four categories as follows: Visual Mapping (4 constructs), Composition (21 constructs), Data-related (11 constructs), Visual Experience (20 constructs). The distribution of the categories is similar to previous studies but with fewer constructs referring to visual mapping [20]. That was to be expected since the visual mapping was given by using node-link diagrams and corresponds to the distribution of published graph aesthetics, which refer to the composition in most cases as well.…”

“…This is expected and cannot be avoided. Kurzhals et al propose the following categorization to analyze the constructs of repertory grid interviews to explore the design space [20]:…”

“…The interviewer should be familiar with the established guidelines for conducting the interviews. We have mainly followed the recommendation of Kurzhals et al [20] and Fransella [9].…”

Variability in data visualization

“…Finally, regarding the evaluation of a visualization, there is an ongoing discussion in the visualization community [34] about the relevant factors that make a visualization effective, expressive, memorable, aesthetically pleasing, etc. These factors are typically led by guidelines and model theories [37] of how different data representations and interaction concepts are perceived and processed by human users, requiring qualitative evaluation methods based on observation and interviews.…”

From Taxonomy to Requirements: A Task Space Partitioning Approach

“…They have been proven especially useful in the later stages of design that map identified task categories to visualization features [13,14,30]. A recent study by Kurzhals and Weiskopf [15] highlighted the benefits of adding structure to the earlier stages of design. By adopting a grid technique in interviews, they were able to capture previously missed knowledge constructs, and to relate them to specific visualization features.…”