The evaluation of information visualisation techniques using eye tracking

Abstract

The general increase in the use of information visualisation techniques has highlighted the need for methodologies to evaluate the user interface of software system utilising these techniques. Usability evaluation techniques have evolved over several years in order to assess the user interface of systems with regard to efficiency, interaction flexibility, interaction robustness and quality of use. The evaluation of the user’s thought processes when using software systems is difficult to access with traditional usability techniques. Eye movement data can supplement the data obtained through usability testing by providing more specific information about the strategies that users apply. In this paper, the authors investigate how eye tracking data can supplement the usability evaluation data of information visualisation techniques, by applying eye tracking in a usability evaluation case study of an information visualisation tool. The results of a pilot study have previously been reported and these results are compared specifically to the main case study. The results of the main case study are reported in this article and illustrate that eye tracking does provide additional value to the usability evaluation of information visualisation techniques.