The GIS Manual 1 CHAPTER 42 Interactive Maps for Exploring Spatial Data (original) (raw)

Interactive maps for exploring spatial data

Manual of Geographic …, 2008

A hallmark of modern geographic information system (GIS) software is its capability for user interaction. Interactivity-referring here to the myriad ways that a system, or data represented in a system, can change according to user input-is now ubiquitous enough in computerized information systems that it is often taken for granted. However, interactivity should be examined critically in the context of maps and geographic representations in order to understand how far GIS has come in facilitating data analysis, and what might still be developed in order to examine data sets that are presently difficult to examine given the stateof-the-art of GIS. This chapter explores the design and use of interactive maps for spatial data exploration and analysis, paying particular attention to applications incorporating approaches from cartography, statistics and computer science. We also consider the role of the interactive capabilities and potential of GIS for the burgeoning field of visual analytics, and look ahead to the possibilities of incorporating interaction into future designs of GIS, in particular those that can handle spatiotemporal data. Present GISs, with their unique and highly interactive interfaces, are well-designed for many spatial data exploration tasks. However, developers and users should consider implementing modes of interaction not presently enabled in GIS that would facilitate a wider range of geographic visualization and analysis. We thus advocate the increase of interactive capabilities for map products created in a GIS environment based on the improvements for data exploration that could be gained.

A Design Process for the Development of an Interactive and Adaptive GIS

Web and Wireless Geographical Information Systems, 2008

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have long bridged the gap between geo-information databases and applications. Although conceptual modelling approaches for GIS have been particularly successful in the representation of the specific properties of geographical information, there is still a need for a better integration of user intentions and usage. This paper introduces a conceptual framework applied to GIS and defined not only as a "Geographic Information System", but also as a "Geographic Interactive System". This approach extends the conceptual framework of a general purpose mobile interactive system to the geographical context. Beside a description of user tasks and the domain data layout, the proposed framework considers the geographical environment as an additional component to the design approach. The role of the spatial dimension in the design of such an interactive system is illustrated all along the conception of a real-time ship tracking system.

Interacting with GIS: from paper cartography to virtual environments

2001

1. Introduction 2. Cognitive science aspects of GIS 2.1. Perceptual aspects of maps 2.2. Semiotic aspects of maps 2.3. Navigation using maps 2.4. Cognitive maps: internal representation of space 2.4.1. Cognitive spatial development in children 2.4.2. Cognitive spatial development in adults 2.4.3. Accuracy of spatial knowledge from maps 2.4.4. The influence of the environment 2.5. Design issues for navigational maps 3. Multimedia and hypermedia systems 3.1. Components of hypermedia 3.1.1. Common features of nodes and links 3.1.2. Nodes 3.1.3.

Guest editorial: map interaction

GeoInformatica, 2017

Spatial information and especially maps have become ubiquitous: many websites rely on maps for different purposes. Maps are used on mobile devices, for navigation systems, in analysis and planning tools, for information visualization, or in gaming. In many cases, these maps are not a static picture but support interaction, e.g. in order to change the displayed area, to find specific sites of interest, or even to edit the map and/or its underlying information. While map-making has a long tradition and consequently benefits from a large body of research to draw from, this is not true for map interaction. In contrast to map-making, there is no agreed-upon set of rules or guidelines that have emerged with respect to how to design interaction with maps. When looking at different popular web services or applications that use interactive maps, a broad range of different approaches become apparent. How we work with interactive maps thus is not only inconsistent across systems but can also be quite awkward. Even simple queries can require a lot of interaction, and the formulation of complex queries is sometimes not even possible-although we know more about the user, the context, and the task than ever before. Given the rapid proliferation of interactive maps and our increasing dependency on them (e.g. in the context of location-based services), a

User interfaces for geographic information systems: a research agenda

ACSM ASPRS ANNUAL CONVENTION, 1992

This report describes the Specialist Meeting of the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) Research Initiative on "User Interfaces for Geographic Information Systems". The initiative addresses human-computer interaction methods and related issues in the design and implementation of user interfaces for GISs and other geographical software packages. The Specialist Meeting (workshop) for the initiative was held in June 1991 to set and prioritize a research agenda. The discussion concentrated on conceptual issues, and on needs for evaluation and testing. Several important themes for research were identified. Development of typologies of GIS tasks and of GIS users and use types were high priority elements of the research agenda. Spatial concepts are critical to the design of user interfaces for GIS; the issue of potential trade-offs between learnability and performance for experienced users is central; experimental testing is a critical part of the research agenda, agencies and other large organizations need guidelines on how to write product specifications for user interfaces. The paper provides details for these and other elements in the research agenda regarding "User Interfaces for Geographic Information Systems." The report also contains 35 position papers that were circulated to the participants before or during the meeting.

Participation technologies: a framework for the development of an online interactive GIS application

2008

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are generally implemented in a top-down manner and do not inherently support public participation. It is believed that when such GIS applications are supported with collaboration and decision-aid tools this gap can be reduced. This study explores the participatory tools and technologies that support spatial decision making. A step by step process is proposed to guide the selection of participation tools and technologies in different scenarios. An online application prototype is developed with the tools suggested by the step by step process to support public participation in the Ames Urban Fringe Plan in Story County, Iowa. This application is evaluated for its effectiveness based on the survey feedback received from the participants and interview responses. Opportunities, challenges and future recommendations are presented.

Testing the Usability of Interactive Maps in CommonGIS

Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 2002

The paper reports on an experimental study aimed at assessing the usability of five different interactive tools for exploratory analysis of geographically referenced data implemented in CommonGIS. Usability was assessed in terms of tool learnability, memorability, and user satisfaction. The study provided valuable data concerning the usability of each individual tool; we also derived some conclusions relevant to geovisualization techniques in general. We found that users were, in principle, able to understand and adopt the new ideas of map interactivity and manipulability. However, these ideas needed to be appropriately introduced; people could hardly grasp them just from the appearance of the maps and controls. An introductory demonstration was sufficient to understand the purposes of the interactive tools, and a short training session enabled people to use them. The importance of educating users is a particular challenge for geovisualization tools that are intended to be accessed over the Internet.