Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1:
In a multi-publishing service, the channels may share resources such as the
geospatial information
The concept of a map-based multi-publishing service is relatively new and
studies on methods for evaluating such services are still missing. However,
conducting usability evaluations for the whole multi-publishing service is
essential, as the user experience is constituted across the channels.
Usability evaluations of map applications for the web and mobile phones
and printed maps as such are numerous, as is discussed in the following
section. Studying the usability of interactive maps always includes an
evaluation of the user interface design as well as the map itself, since these
cannot be separated due to the nature of interactive maps. Consequently,
we want to include both of these aspects in our usability studies. The map-
based multi-publishing service evaluated in our case study was developed
by exploiting the UCD process, which included conducting user studies
and utilising several UCD methods, such as design probes, persona- and
scenario-creation, defining design drivers and user requirements
(Sarjakoski et al. 2009b). The usability testing described in Section 3 was
part of the final stage of the concept development process for the map-
based multi-publishing service.
