Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
tracking recently focuses on the improvement of the user quality of a map, particularly on
the map composition improvement. However, there is a question how to define the user
quality of a map or a “good” map composition. In the main, the user has to be able to
interpret the content of the map correctly and accurately. A correct but a too long
interpretation of a map cannot be considered as a sign of high user quality of the map. A
method of the map content interpretation or the way of internal recording and later recalling
of the information are related to its structure of cognitive and mental maps [49, 50, 51]. That
is why the improvement of the user quality of a map is considered necessary if we want to
perceive into cognitive processes going on during work with maps. In this field, eye-
tracking can enable the user to do a research of cognitive maps. Nevertheless, it is necessary
to respect the fact that maps have its own special dimension which cannot be neglected
during the research because it is essentially connected with the user's map-content
interpretation.
Thanks to easier (but not easy) access to high-performance eye-trackers, we can expect, in a
short time period, more numerous and deeper researches on different aspects of map
reading. In the field of map creation, there exist certain short and long-term rules. Many of
them are respected without any international convention, for example a blue colour used for
waters [52].
High initial investments on high quality equipment and a non-existence of a single
methodology for preparing and evaluation of tests limit the implementation of the described
technology in cartography research. It is also necessary to cooperate with a professional
psychologist.
Cartographic research with eye-tracking methods will considerably contribute to
argumentation of a high number of empirically based rules and instructions for map
creation and the map language will be internationalized. By implication, it will enable
geographers to present better results of their researches and studies.
Author details
Stanislav Popelka, Alzbeta Brychtova, Jan Brus * and Vít Voženílek
Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University in Olomouc, Czech Republic
Acknowledgement
The chapter has been completed within the project CZ.1.07/2.4.00/31.0010 Supporting the
creation of a national network of new generation of Cartography - NeoCartoLink which is
co-financed from European Social Fund and State financial resources of the Czech Republic
and the project The small format photography in the study of the effect of heterogeneity on
the surface of habitats of the Palacky University (Integral Grant Agency, project no.
PrF_2012_007).”
* Corresponding Author
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