Multiple diagram navigation (MDN)

Abstract

Domain novices learning about a new subject can struggle to find their way in large collections. Typical searching and browsing tools are better utilized if users know what to search for or browse to. Navigation systems with richer user interfaces could go beyond search and browse facilities by providing overviews and exploration features. We present Multiple Diagram Navigation (MDN) to assist domain novices by providing multiple overviews of the content matter. Rather than relying on specific types of visualizations, MDN superimposes any type of diagram or map over a collection of information resources, allowing content providers to reveal interesting perspectives of their content. Domain novices can navigate through the content in an exploratory way using three types of browsing (queries): diagram to content, diagram to diagram, and content to diagram. We present positive indications of MDN usability and usefulness we received from a preliminary user study. We also present our vision for using heuristics about diagram structures to help rank results returned by MDN queries.