Analysis of individual quality scores of different image distortions

Abstract

In this paper, we study individual quality scores given by different observers for various image distortions (saturation, contrast, and color quantization) at different levels. We created a database that contains a total of 232 images, derived from 21 pristine images, three distortions, and five levels. The database was rated by 31 participants collected through an online platform. The study shows that observers have distinguishable patterns with respect to different distortions. Using quadratic regression models, we visualized the behavior patterns of different groups of observers. The database and the individual scores collected are publicly available and can be further used for quality assessment research.