@article{GrabingerHauserMottok, author = {Grabinger, Lisa and Hauser, Florian and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {On the perception of graph layouts}, series = {Journal of Software: Evolution and Process}, journal = {Journal of Software: Evolution and Process}, publisher = {Wiley}, doi = {10.1002/smr.2599}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-62973}, abstract = {In the field of software engineering, graph-based models are used for a variety of applications. Usually, the layout of those graphs is determined at the discretion of the user. This article empirically investigates whether different layouts affect the comprehensibility or popularity of a graph and whether one can predict the perception of certain aspects in the graph using basic graphical laws from psychology (i.e., Gestalt principles). Data on three distinct layouts of one causal graph is collected from 29 subjects using eye tracking and a print questionnaire. The evaluation of the collected data suggests that the layout of a graph does matter and that the Gestalt principles are a valuable tool for assessing partial aspects of a layout.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GrabingerHauserMottok, author = {Grabinger, Lisa and Hauser, Florian and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Accessing the Presentation of Causal Graphs and an Application of Gestalt Principles with Eye Tracking}, series = {2022 IEEE International Conference on Software Analysis, Evolution and Reengineering (SANER 2022), 1st Workshop on Advances in Human-Centric Experiments in Software Engineering (HUMAN 2022): 15-18 March 2022, Honolulu, HI, USA}, booktitle = {2022 IEEE International Conference on Software Analysis, Evolution and Reengineering (SANER 2022), 1st Workshop on Advances in Human-Centric Experiments in Software Engineering (HUMAN 2022): 15-18 March 2022, Honolulu, HI, USA}, publisher = {IEEE}, doi = {10.1109/SANER53432.2022.00153}, pages = {1278 -- 1285}, abstract = {The discipline of causal inference uses so-called causal graphs to model cause and effect relations of random variables. As those graphs only encode a relation structure there is no hard rule concerning their alignment. The present paper presents a study with the aim of working out the optimal alignment of causal graphs with respect to comprehensibility and interestingness. In addition, the study examines whether the central gestalt principles of psychology apply for causal graphs. Data from 29 participants is acquired by triangulating eye tracking with a questionnaire. The results of the study suggest that causal graphs should be aligned downwards. Moreover, the gestalt principles proximity, similarity and closure are shown to hold true for causal graphs.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GrabingerEzerHauseretal., author = {Grabinger, Lisa and Ezer, Timur and Hauser, Florian and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {The impact of eyenalyzer}, series = {ICERI2024 Proceedings: 17th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, 11th-13th November 2024, Seville, Spain}, booktitle = {ICERI2024 Proceedings: 17th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, 11th-13th November 2024, Seville, Spain}, publisher = {IATED}, isbn = {978-84-09-63010-3}, issn = {2340-1095}, doi = {10.21125/iceri.2024.0271}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-78215}, pages = {695 -- 701}, abstract = {Empirical research poses numerous challenges for beginners. This is especially true for data analysis - a task that usually requires knowledge from two distinct areas: statistics and programming. To support prospective researchers with that task, we developed a web-based tool called eyenalyzer. It supports common activities in the data analysis phase of empirical studies in a way that is suitable for novices in both, statistics and programming. The present article describes a controlled experiment investigating the impact of this tool with a total of 20 participants. All of them are given a set of common data analysis tasks. Half of the participants complete the tasks using eyenalyzer, the other half can use anything except for eyenalyzer. For each task and participant, we record the time in minutes, the task score, and the perceived difficulty. The results confirm that our tool is a valuable support for novice researchers: With eyenalyzer, the participants are significantly faster, achieve higher scores, and perceive the tasks to be less difficult.}, language = {en} }