Collaborative Sense-Making in Genomic Research: The Role of Visualisation

作     者：Rittenbruch, Markus Vella, Kellie Brereton, Margot Hogan, James M. Johnson, Daniel Heinrich, Julian O'Donoghue, Sean 

作者机构：Queensland Univ Technol Brisbane Qld 4000 Australia Bayer Crop Sci D-400607 Leverkusen Germany Garvan Inst Med Res Sydney NSW 2000 Australia 

出 版 物：《IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS》 (IEEE Trans Visual Comput Graphics)

年 卷 期：2022年第28卷第12期

页      面：4477-4489页

核心收录：

学科分类：0808[工学-电气工程] 08[工学] 0835[工学-软件工程] 

基　　金：Australian Research Council [LP140100574] Australian Research Council [LP140100574] Funding Source: Australian Research Council 

主　　题：Collaboration Bioinformatics Data visualization Genomics Visual analytics Tools Browsers Computer-supported cooperative work human-centered computing human-computer interaction scientific visualisation 

摘      要：Genomic research emerges from collaborative work within and across different scientific disciplines. A diverse range of visualisation techniques has been employed to aid this research, yet relatively little is known as to how these techniques facilitate collaboration. We conducted a case study of collaborative research within a biomedical institute to learn more about the role visualisation plays in genomic mapping. Interviews were conducted with molecular biologists (N = 5) and bioinformaticians (N = 6). We found that genomic research comprises a variety of distinct disciplines engaged in complex analytic tasks that each resist simplification, and their complexity influences how visualisations were used. Visualisation use was impacted by group-specific interactions and temporal work patterns. Visualisations were also crucial to the scientific workflow, used for both question formation and confirmation of hypotheses, and acted as an anchor for the communication of ideas and discussion. In the latter case, two approaches were taken: providing collaborators with either interactive or static imagery representing a viewpoint. The use of generic software for simplified visualisations, and quick production and curation was also noted. We discuss these findings with reference to group-specific interactions and present recommendations for improving collaborative practices through visual analytics.