Problem
Research questions and friction points this paper is trying to address.
Biomedical Visualization
Usability Evaluation
Spatial Omics
CRI Platforms
High-dimensional Data
Evaluating Usability in Biomedical Visualization: Rethinking Heuristic Evaluation for Spatial Omics and Multidisciplinary Research Platforms
🤖 AI Summary
研究针对高维生物医学数据的复杂界面问题，通过两组实验评估传统和特定领域的可用性标准，提出三个新启发式方法以改善多学科研究平台的用户体验。
📝 Abstract
Introduction: Clinical research informatics (CRI) platforms support biomedical discovery by integrating advanced computational tools into research workflows. Emerging technologies such as spatial omics and AI-enabled imaging expand research capabilities but introduce complex interfaces that increase cognitive burden and alter established analytical processes. Traditional usability frameworks identify general usability issues but often miss challenges specific to high-dimensional biomedical data. Methods: We conducted two complementary studies involving 39 participants to evaluate conventional usability heuristics and identify CRI-specific criteria. Study 1 included 19 undergraduates completing interactive tasks, and Study 2 involved 20 clinical professionals completing an asynchronous hierarchical task framework. Observational and interview data were analyzed using deductive coding based on standard usability heuristics and emerging CRI-specific themes. Results: Simultaneous presentation of complex data overlays and analytical tools overwhelmed users, particularly those with limited spatial-omics experience. Participants relied on trial-and-error exploration and struggled with unlabeled tools in data-rich environments. Feedback indicated that users benefit from phased onboarding, contextual guidance, and progressive feature introduction rather than immediate access to all functionality. Discussion: High-dimensional research platforms require domain-specific usability criteria beyond traditional frameworks. We propose three specialized heuristics: Active Parameter Transparency, Point-of-Use Guidance, and Phased Feature Disclosure. These heuristics help developers manage complexity, provide contextual support, and improve accessibility for multidisciplinary research teams.
Innovation
Methods, ideas, or system contributions that make the work stand out.
Active Parameter Transparency
Point-of-Use Guidance
Phased Feature Disclosure
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