Node-Link or Adjacency Matrices: Old Question, New Insights

IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph. 2019 Oct;25(10):2940-2952. doi: 10.1109/TVCG.2018.2865940. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Abstract

Visualizing network data is applicable in domains such as biology, engineering, and social sciences. We report the results of a study comparing the effectiveness of the two primary techniques for showing network data: node-link diagrams and adjacency matrices. Specifically, an evaluation with a large number of online participants revealed statistically significant differences between the two visualizations. Our work adds to existing research in several ways. First, we explore a broad spectrum of network tasks, many of which had not been previously evaluated. Second, our study uses two large datasets, typical of many real-life networks not explored by previous studies. Third, we leverage crowdsourcing to evaluate many tasks with many participants. This paper is an expanded journal version of a Graph Drawing (GD'17) conference paper. We evaluated a second dataset, added a qualitative feedback section, and expanded the procedure, results, discussion, and limitations sections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Computer Graphics*
  • Crowdsourcing
  • Data Visualization*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Young Adult