Responsive Matrix Cells: A Focus+Context Approach for Exploring and Editing Multivariate Graphs

TL;DR

This paper introduces responsive matrix cells, a focus+context visualization technique for multivariate graphs that allows interactive exploration and editing of node and edge attributes within a matrix layout.

Contribution

It presents a novel focus+context approach with responsive, zoomable matrix cells that adapt to user tasks, enabling integrated data exploration and editing for multivariate graphs.

Findings

Responsive matrix cells facilitate detailed data exploration.

They support direct editing of graph attributes.

Prototype implementation demonstrates practical utility.

Abstract

Matrix visualizations are a useful tool to provide a general overview of a graph's structure. For multivariate graphs, a remaining challenge is to cope with the attributes that are associated with nodes and edges. Addressing this challenge, we propose responsive matrix cells as a focus+context approach for embedding additional interactive views into a matrix. Responsive matrix cells are local zoomable regions of interest that provide auxiliary data exploration and editing facilities for multivariate graphs. They behave responsively by adapting their visual contents to the cell location, the available display space, and the user task. Responsive matrix cells enable users to reveal details about the graph, compare node and edge attributes, and edit data values directly in a matrix without resorting to external views or tools. We report the general design considerations for responsive matrix cells covering the visual and interactive means necessary to support a seamless data exploration and editing. Responsive matrix cells have been implemented in a web-based prototype based on which we demonstrate the utility of our approach. We describe a walk-through for the use case of analyzing a graph of soccer players and report on insights from a preliminary user feedback session.