Abstract
The widespread of data visualisation tools on smartphones has provided end users an easy way to track their health data, leading designers to put more effort into delivering suitable visualisations. Both academia and industry have developed several frameworks to guide the creation of informative and well-designed charts, such as the visualisation and design framework and Google Material Design. Despite the typical focus on design and chart types in these existing frameworks, our study highlights the need to incorporate additional components when developing data visualisations. The needs of non-expert users, the nature of the data being represented, and the mobile environment are often not prioritised in these frameworks, leading to visualisations that do not meet user needs and expectations. To address these issues, we propose our Six-Dimensions Data Visualisation Framework (6DVF) to assist in the design and evaluation of visualisations on mobile devices. Finally, we present our initial findings from a designer evaluation experiment.
Overview
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The paper introduces the Six-Dimensions Data Visualisation Framework (6DVF) tailored for mobile health (mHealth) apps to improve user understanding and interaction with health data.
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The need for 6DVF arises from the limitations of existing frameworks in addressing mobile user needs and the specific challenges of presenting health data on mobile platforms.
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6DVF is structured around six dimensions that ensure visualisations are user-centered, functional, and designed optimally for mobile devices, accompanied by a checklist for designers.
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Preliminary evaluations of 6DVF show positive feedback from designers and potential for improved user engagement and personalisation in mHealth app visualisations.
6DVF: A Comprehensive Framework for Enhancing mHealth App Data Visualisations
Introduction to the 6DVF Framework
The exponential growth in the use of mobile health (mHealth) apps underscores the importance of effective data visualisation tools that allow users to easily understand and act upon their health information. Existing visualisation frameworks often fail to address the specific needs of mHealth applications, particularly in the mobile context and considering non-expert users. The paper introduces the Six-Dimensions Data Visualisation Framework (6DVF), designed to fill this gap by providing a tailored approach to develop and evaluate visualisations in mHealth apps. This framework not only aims to enhance the user experience but also to make health data more accessible and actionable for users.
The Necessity of a New Framework
The authors conducted an extensive review of existing data visualisation frameworks but found limitations, particularly in addressing the needs of mobile users and non-expert audiences. Notably, previous frameworks seemed to focus on desktop environments or did not sufficiently consider the unique constraints and opportunities presented by mobile devices. Furthermore, existing guidelines often neglected the users' ability to understand and use the data visualisations meaningfully within the context of mHealth. This situation motivated the development of the 6DVF, which specifically targets these shortcomings.
Framework Overview
The 6DVF Dimensions
The 6DVF is structured around six key dimensions that guide the design and evaluation of mobile data visualisations:
- Identifying the Target Audience: Understanding the characteristics and needs of the end-user.
- Chart Functionality: Ensuring the visualisation serves its intended purpose effectively.
- Data Representation: Appropriately mapping data to visual elements.
- Visual Design and Interactivity: Enhancing the aesthetic and user interaction aspects of the visualisation.
- Target Device: Taking into account the specific features and constraints of mobile devices.
- Single/App Visualisation Interface: Integrating the visualisation within the broader context of the app interface.
These dimensions work together to ensure that visualisations are user-centered, functional, and optimally designed for mobile platforms.
Framework Checklist
Accompanying the framework is a detailed checklist based on three criteria: completeness, consistency, and correctness. This checklist aids designers in ensuring that each dimension of the 6DVF is fully considered and implemented efficiently.
Evaluation and Implications
The framework was evaluated through designer experiments, which involved creating mHealth app visualisations with and without the guidance of the 6DVF. Preliminary results show positive feedback from designers, highlighting the framework's usefulness in creating more accessible, user-friendly visualisations. Specifically, visualisations developed with the 6DVF showcased better accessibility options and user interactivity, as opposed to those developed without it.
These findings point to the 6DVF's potential to significantly improve the quality of data visualisations in mHealth apps, thereby enhancing user engagement and the overall user experience. Moreover, the framework lays the groundwork for further research in personalised data visualisation, suggesting a future where users can tailor visualisations to their preferences and needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 6DVF stands as a critical advancement in the design and evaluation of mHealth app data visualisations. By addressing the unique needs of mobile users and the constraints of mobile devices, the framework promises to elevate the standard of data visualisation in health applications. As ongoing and future studies refine and expand upon the 6DVF, the field looks toward a more inclusive, user-centered approach to presenting health data, empowering users to make informed decisions about their health.
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