Refinery: Visual Exploration of Large, Heterogeneous Networks through Associative Browsing. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kairam, S.; Riche, N. H.; Drucker, S.; Fernandez, R.; Heer, J.
• Is Part Of: Computer graphics forum. Volume 34:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 301
• Page End: 310
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Computer graphics -- Periodicals; 006.605
• DOI: 10.1111/cgf.12642
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-7055

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Browsing is a fundamental aspect of exploratory information‐seeking. <bold>Associative browsing</bold> represents a common and intuitive set of exploratory strategies in which users step iteratively from familiar to novel bits of information. In this paper, we examine associative browsing as a strategy for bottom‐up exploration of large, heterogeneous networks. We present Refinery, an interactive visualization system informed by guidelines for associative browsing drawn from literature on exploratory information‐seeking. These guidelines motivate Refinery's query model, which allows users to simply and expressively construct queries using heterogeneous sets of nodes. This system computes degree‐of‐interest scores for associated content using a fast, random‐walk algorithm. Refinery visualizes query nodes within a subgraph of results, providing explanatory context, facilitating serendipitous discovery, and stimulating continued exploration. A study of 12 academic researchers using Refinery to browse publication data demonstrates how the system enables discovery of valuable new content, even within existing areas of expertise.</p> </abstract>