Analysis of Sophisticated Visualization Techniques for Visualizing and Navigating Information Retrieval Result Lists - A Pre Design Evaluation

Abstract

Especially for complex search strategies interactive information visualization (IVIZ) techniques can improve information retrieval (IR) system user interfaces. Based on comparative quantitative and qualitative assessments we created design studies for IR system user interfaces using the widely accepted IVIZ techniques Tablelens, Treemap and a radial hierarchy. W e found out that user interfaces can be optimized if a Treemap will be integrated in order to improve the overview and provide more focused interaction possibilities. Surprisingly, under identical conditions a simple scatter plot optimized the user interface in nearly the same way.