VisUX: a framework of user experience within data visualizations

Abstract

Data visualizations are often used to convert available data into useful insights. When designed well, they can be effective and efficiently used. It is of our interest to understand the characteristics of a well-designed and thought-out data visualization. The purpose of this research is to take the initial step in developing a method that evaluates data visualizations, in particular the user experience while interacting with the visualization. An extensive literature review provides understanding about user experience. During an expert session, this understanding was linked to data visualizations and transformed into an evaluation method: the VisUX questionnaire. Through the use of an experiment, the questionnaire was tested on its factor structure and its internal consistency. Six factors with high Cronbach’s alpha levels supported our framework. Therefore, the VisUX questionnaire proved valuable and can be used for further research on this matter. Advise for future studies is to use many experts during the session of card sorting and to add control questions to the questionnaire.