Evaluating User Interaction with Cartographic Visualizations on Mobile and Desktop Platforms

This study examines how users interact with interactive cartographic visualizations on desktop computers and smartphones, focusing on differences in usability, interaction strategies, and visual attention when performing identical map-based tasks. A controlled within-subject experiment was conducted in a responsive web application that logged detailed user interactions. Interaction logs served as the primary dataset for cross-device comparisons. Visual attention was captured using a remote eye-tracker for desktop as well as for smartphone, with gaze recordings analyzed qualitatively to contextualize interaction behavior. Results show that answer accuracy was largely unaffected by device type. Task completion time exhibited only limited device effects, whereas the number of interactions was consistently higher on smartphones. Differences in interaction strategies were also observed: smartphones favored continuous navigation, while desktops supported more targeted information access. These findings highlight the importance of cross-device evaluation and support mixed-method approaches for advancing cartographic design and HCI research.