user study

Author
Advisor
Co-Advisor
Abstract

This master thesis explores key requirements for the design of interactive visualization methods for comparing multivariate stock market data.

Superimposed line charts are commonly used for comparison of stocks in modern stock market visualizations. A problem is appearing, when the difference(s) between the price ranges is (are) large. These differences result in distortion and a display of flattened curves, which make comparisons very difficult. Another problem is that stocks and stock indices do not have the same unit. In this case juxtaposed line charts are often used to compare the data. However the data does not share the same y-axis. Other than that, superimposed charts with multiple y-axes might be used. Relationships are then depending on the ranges of the involved y-axes, which makes the visual appearance often completely arbitrary. The third problem is that stock market visualizations often use linear scales. Unfortunately this scale can lead to false conclusion of comparisons with percent estimations. A user & task analysis with six domain experts was conducted to find common user tasks and requirements for the design of a stock market visualization prototype. The main subjects of the analysis are user tasks, visualizations & interactions and related economic data. After the development of the prototype, a user study with five domain experts was conducted. The purpose of this study is to gain feedback about the usability and the applicability of the prototype from expert users. All participants of the user study have agreed that a comparison of multiple stocks by superimposition is more effective than by juxtaposition. The domain experts also think that indexed line charts are an excellent method to compare percent changes. The indexing method can display various stock market data with different units using only one chart. This makes relative comparison tasks of stock market data very effective. The ability to select the indexing point freely is considered by all participants as an important and useful function. According to the user study, the logarithmic scale is more useful than the linear scale for comparisons of stock market data. Also it is best to compare a group of stocks or a stock market index with economic data like GDP or interest rates. This removes any individual effects of a particular stock.
Year of Publication
2009
Secondary Title
Institute of Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology
Paper
Number of Pages
118
reposiTUm Handle
20.500.12708/11799
Publisher
TU Wien
Place Published
Vienna
R. Ma, “Designing interactive visualization methods for comparing multivariate stock market data over time”, Institute of Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology. TU Wien, Vienna, p. 118, 2009.
Master Thesis
AC07806506
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