Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
1.1 Previous Studies on the Evaluation of Interactive Maps
Commercial web-mapping sites have been studied by Skarlatidou and
Haklay (2006) and Nivala et al. (2008). Skarlatidou and Haklay (2006)
utilised the thinking aloud- method, pre-test and post-test questionnaires
and also measured the time the users took to conduct the tasks with several
web map services. The results introduced the average time spent with the
different web-mapping sites for specific tasks as well as the success rate
for the web maps. Nivala et al. (2008) evaluated the usability of web-
mapping sites in a study that aimed to identify potential usability
problems, which were then grouped according to their severity. In contrast
to many studies that focus solely on the user interface, this evaluation
places plenty of importance on the observations of the map visualisation
itself.
When using the mobile map applications, the user needs to interact not
only with the map but also with the surrounding environment (Van
Elzakker et al. 2008). Van Elzakker et al. recommend the combination of
laboratory and field testing in order to obtain deeper knowledge of
different usability issues than could be found through using either
approach on its own. The usability of topographic maps on a Personal
Digital Assistant (PDA) has been addressed by Nivala et al. (2003), who
describe the process of usability evaluation that was conducted as a field
test in a national park. Heidmann et al. (2003) utilised the UCD approach
for the development of a mobile location-based map application within a
fair context. From the usability study, abstraction and simplification were
derived as central design guidelines for interactive maps. Kaasinen (2003)
examined location-aware mobile services and presented the user needs for
such a service.
Maintaining the user-centred approach throughout the design process is
essential for successful design. In the field of geoinformatics, studies that
involve all stages of a UCD process are still rare. The studies by Kramers
(2007) and Van Elzakker and Wealands (2007) are examples of work that
involve all such stages. Kramers (2007) introduced a user-centred
development for the Atlas of Canada. The process consisted of three
principal stages: an examination of business requirements, detailed user
requirements research, and product and systems design. Van Elzakker and
Wealands (2007) presented a case study of a UCD process for a mobile
location-based service for tourists. The key phases in this UCD process
were user profiling, user task analysis and evaluations.
