Evaluating Visual Variables in a Virtual Reality Environment

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Large amount of multi-dimensional data can be difficult to visualize in standard 2D display. Virtual Reality and the associated 3rd dimension may be useful for data analysis; however, 3D charts may often be confusing to users rather conveying information. This paper investigated and evaluated graphical primitives of 3D charts in a Virtual Reality (VR) environment. We compared six different 3D graphs involving two graph types and five visual variables. We analysed ocular and EEG parameters of users while they undertook representative data interpretation tasks using 3D graphs. Our analysis found significant differences in fixation rate, alpha and low-beta EEG bands among different graphs and a bar chart using different sizes of columns for different data values found to be preferred among users in terms of correct response. We also found that colour makes it easier to interpret nominal data as compared to shape and size variable reduces the time required for processing numerical data as compared to orientation or opacity. Our results can be used to develop 3D sensor dashboard and visualization techniques for VR environments.