Abstract
The increasing amount of interconnected data has given rise to a need among researchers and practitioners to develop new approaches to visualizing network structures. The intricacy of such structures vastly exceeds the capacity of most conventional approaches to network visualization in terms of dimensional and resolution restrictions, as they are mostly presented as two-dimensional with on a limited size screen. An additional limitation of traditional network visualization tools from a human–computer interaction standpoint is the limited interaction itself where immersion and “deep-diving” into high-dimensional data is not possible. We built NetImmerse, an application to visualize network data in a virtual environment with the ability to overview, zoom, and request details on-demand. Within the virtual space, users can either walk around the 3D data representation or rotate and move the representation using the two controllers. We tested the application with users and simulated a representative use case. NetImmerse enabled the participants to gain accurate insights based on the defined task. Participants indicated a PU of 5.25 and a PEOU of 5.46. We believe that NetImmerse is an engaging platform for multi-dimensional data exploration and may result in better insights and enhanced network data exploration.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Arsiwalla, X.D., et al.: Network dynamics with BrainX3: a large-scale simulation of the human brain network with real-time interaction. Front. Neuroinform. 9, 2 (2015)
Barabási, A.L., Gulbahce, N., Loscalzo, J.: Network medicine: a network-based approach to human disease. Nat. Rev. Genet. 12(1), 56–68 (2011)
Barabási, A.L., et al.: Network Science. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2016)
Betella, A., et al.: Understanding large network datasets through embodied interaction in virtual reality. In: Proceedings of the 2014 Virtual Reality International Conference, pp. 1–7 (2014)
Boccaletti, S., Latora, V., Moreno, Y., Chavez, M., Hwang, D.U.: Complex networks: structure and dynamics. Phys. Rep. 424(4–5), 175–308 (2006)
Bramlet, M., Wang, K., Clemons, A., Speidel, N.C., Lavalle, S.M., Kesavadas, T.: Virtual reality visualization of patient specific heart model. J. Cardiovasc. Magn. Reson. 18(422), 1–2 (2016)
Calì, C., et al.: Three-dimensional immersive virtual reality for studying cellular compartments in 3D models from EM preparations of neural tissues. J. Comparat. Neurol. 524(1), 23–38 (2016)
Cleveland, W.S., McGill, R.: Graphical perception: theory, experimentation, and application to the development of graphical methods. J. Am. Stat. Assoc. 79(387), 531–554 (1984)
Deering, M.F.: HoloSketch: a virtual reality sketching/animation tool. ACM Trans. Comput.-Hum. Interact. (TOCHI) 2(3), 220–238 (1995)
Drogemuller, A., Cunningham, A., Walsh, J., Cordeil, M., Ross, W., Thomas, B.: Evaluating navigation techniques for 3D graph visualizations in virtual reality. In: 2018 International Symposium on Big Data Visual and Immersive Analytics (BDVA), pp. 1–10. IEEE (2018)
Drogemuller, A., Cunningham, A., Walsh, J., Ross, W., Thomas, B.H.: VRige: exploring social network interactions in immersive virtual environments. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Big Data Visual Analytics (BDVA). IEEE, NJ, USA (2017)
Ens, B., et al.: Grand challenges in immersive analytics. In: Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1–17 (2021)
Fonnet, A., Prie, Y.: Survey of immersive analytics. IEEE Trans. Vis. Comput. Graph. 27, 2101–2122 (2019)
Heer, J., Bostock, M.: Crowdsourcing graphical perception: using mechanical turk to assess visualization design. In: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 203–212 (2010)
Kenderdine, S., Nicholson, J.K., Mason, I.: Modeling people and populations: exploring medical visualization through immersive interactive virtual environments. In: Metabolic Phenotyping in Personalized and Public Healthcare, pp. 333–367. Elsevier (2016)
Knoke, D., Yang, S.: Social Network Analysis. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks (2019)
Kotlarek, J., et al.: A study of mental maps in immersive network visualization. In: 2020 IEEE Pacific Visualization Symposium (PacificVis), pp. 1–10. IEEE (2020)
Kraus, M., et al.: Immersive analytics with abstract 3D visualizations: a survey. In: Computer Graphics Forum. Wiley Online Library (2021)
Kraus, M., Klein, K., Fuchs, J., Keim, D.A., Schreiber, F., Sedlmair, M.: The value of immersive visualization. IEEE Comput. Graph. Appl. 41(4), 125–132 (2021)
Kuznetsov, M., et al.: The immersive graph genome explorer: navigating genomics in immersive virtual reality. In: 2021 IEEE 9th International Conference on Serious Games and Applications for Health (SeGAH), pp. 1–8. IEEE (2021)
Kwon, O.H., Crnovrsanin, T., Ma, K.L.: What would a graph look like in this layout? A machine learning approach to large graph visualization. IEEE Trans. Vis. Comput. Graph. 24(1), 478–488 (2017)
Lee, B., Plaisant, C., Parr, C.S., Fekete, J.D., Henry, N.: Task taxonomy for graph visualization. In: Proceedings of the 2006 AVI Workshop on BEyond Time and Errors: Novel Evaluation Methods for Information Visualization, pp. 1–5 (2006)
Marangunić, N., Granić, A.: Technology acceptance model: a literature review from 1986 to 2013. Univ. Access Inf. Soc. 14(1), 81–95 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-014-0348-1
McGhee, J., Thompson-Butel, A.G., Faux, S., Bou-Haidar, P., Bailey, J.: The fantastic voyage: an arts-led approach to 3D virtual reality visualization of clinical stroke data. In: Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Visual Information Communication and Interaction, pp. 69–74 (2015)
McIntire, J.P., Havig, P.R., Geiselman, E.E.: Stereoscopic 3D displays and human performance: a comprehensive review. Displays 35(1), 18–26 (2014)
Millais, P., Jones, S.L., Kelly, R.: Exploring data in virtual reality: comparisons with 2D data visualizations. In: Extended Abstracts of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1–6 (2018)
Moody, J., McFarland, D., Bender-deMoll, S.: Dynamic network visualization. Am. J. Sociol. 110(4), 1206–1241 (2005)
Munzner, T.: Process and pitfalls in writing information visualization research papers. In: Kerren, A., Stasko, J.T., Fekete, J.-D., North, C. (eds.) Information Visualization. LNCS, vol. 4950, pp. 134–153. Springer, Heidelberg (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-70956-5_6
Noel, S., Jajodia, S.: Managing attack graph complexity through visual hierarchical aggregation. In: Proceedings of the 2004 ACM Workshop on Visualization and Data Mining for Computer Security, pp. 109–118 (2004)
Pirch, S., et al.: The VRNetzer platform enables interactive network analysis in virtual reality. Nat. Commun. 12(1), 1–14 (2021)
Royston, S., DeFanti, C., Perlin, K.: A collaborative untethered virtual reality environment for interactive social network visualization. arXiv preprint arXiv:1604.08239 (2016)
Schroeder, K., Ajdadilish, B., Henkel, A.P., Calero Valdez, A.: Evaluation of a financial portfolio visualization using computer displays and mixed reality devices with domain experts. In: Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1–9 (2020)
Selassie, D., Heller, B., Heer, J.: Divided edge bundling for directional network data. IEEE Trans. Vis. Comput. Graph. 17(12), 2354–2363 (2011)
Shneiderman, B.: The eyes have it: a task by data type taxonomy for information visualizations. In: The Craft of Information Visualization, pp. 364–371. Elsevier (2003)
Simpson, M., Zhao, J., Klippel, A.: Take a walk: evaluating movement types for data visualization in immersive virtual reality. In: Workshop on Immersive Analytics. IEEE, Vis (2017)
Smallman, H.S., John, M.S., Oonk, H.M., Cowen, M.B.: Information availability in 2D and 3D displays. IEEE Comput. Graph. Appl. 21(5), 51–57 (2001)
Sorger, J., Waldner, M., Knecht, W., Arleo, A.: Immersive analytics of large dynamic networks via overview and detail navigation. In: 2019 IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality (AIVR), pp. 144–1447. IEEE (2019)
Strogatz, S.H.: Exploring complex networks. Nature 410(6825), 268–276 (2001)
Van Wijk, J.J., Van Selow, E.R.: Cluster and calendar based visualization of time series data. In: Proceedings 1999 IEEE Symposium on Information Visualization (InfoVis 1999), pp. 4–9. IEEE (1999)
Varga, M.N., Merrison-Hort, R., Watson, P., Borisyuk, R., Livingstone, D.: Tadpole VR: virtual reality visualization of a simulated tadpole spinal cord. Virtual Reality 25(1), 1–17 (2021)
Villaveces, J.M., Koti, P., Habermann, B.H.: Tools for visualization and analysis of molecular networks, pathways, and-omics data. Adv. Appl. Bioinform. Chem.: AABC 8, 11 (2015)
Ware, C., Franck, G.: Viewing a graph in a virtual reality display is three times as good as a 2D diagram. In: Proceedings of 1994 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages, pp. 182–183. IEEE (1994)
Ware, C., Mitchell, P.: Visualizing graphs in three dimensions. ACM Trans. Appl. Percept. (TAP) 5(1), 1–15 (2008)
Widjojo, E.A., Chinthammit, W., Engelke, U.: Virtual reality-based human-data interaction. In: 2017 International Symposium on Big Data Visual Analytics (BDVA), pp. 1–6. IEEE (2017)
Acknowledgement
We would like to express our appreciation to Dr Benjamin Lucas for his valuable and constructive suggestions during the planning and development phase of this research work and providing the network data used in this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Schröder, K., Kohl, S., Ajdadilish, B. (2022). NetImmerse - Evaluating User Experience in Immersive Network Exploration. In: Duffy, V.G. (eds) Digital Human Modeling and Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics and Risk Management. Health, Operations Management, and Design. HCII 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13320. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06018-2_27
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06018-2_27
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-06017-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-06018-2
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)