Title: A geovisual analytics approach for mouse movement analysis

Authors: Ali Tahir; Gavin McArdle; Michela Bertolotto

Addresses: School of Computer Science and Informatics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland ' National Centre for Geocomputation, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland ' School of Computer Science and Informatics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

Abstract: The use of web maps has created opportunities and challenges for map generation and delivery. While volunteered geographic information has led to the development of accurate and inexpensive web maps, the sheer volume of data generated has created spatial information overload. This results in difficulties identifying relevant map features. Geopersonalisation, which adapts map content based on user interests offers a solution to this. The technique is especially powerful when implicit indicators of interest are used as a basis for personalisation. This article describes the design and features of VizAnalysisTools, a suite of tools to visualise and interpret users' implicit interactions with map content. While traditional data mining techniques can be used to identify trends and preferences, visual analytics, in particular geovisual analytics, which assists the human cognition process, has proven useful in detecting interesting patterns. By identifying salient trends, areas of interest on the map become apparent. This knowledge can be used to strengthen the algorithms used for geopersonalisation.

Keywords: geographical information systems; GIS; geovisual analytics; geovisual analysis; geoweb; web GIS; geopersonalisation; geovisualisation; web architecture; map personalisation; web mapping; heat map; speed map; mouse movements; open source; data mining; web maps; map content; user interests; personalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDMMM.2014.066761

International Journal of Data Mining, Modelling and Management, 2014 Vol.6 No.4, pp.315 - 332

Published online: 21 Jan 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article