Usability of editors: what to improve?

Dr Patrick Weber, Dr Catherine Jones, University College London, University of Portsmouth

Details about the talk:
This paper presents one of the first systematic investigations into the usability of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) editor front-ends, using established best practice in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) research. The two front-ends evaluated are Potlatch 2 and Google Map Maker, to present contrasting views of the user experience of two major VGI projects. Two user groups with no prior experience of VGI contribution were instructed to enrol and contribute data to both VGI projects, and their interaction with the two services were monitored using a mobile eye tracker and video screen capture software in a computer lab environment. The resulting data was analysed to reveal how users interact and experience VGI editors, as well as highlight deficiencies and differences between Potlatch 2 and Google Map Maker. The results from this research project are a set of recommendations for the future development of these editors, specifically relating to improving the user experience and ease of use of VGI editors.

Details about the speakers:
Dr Patrick Weber is a Teaching Fellow at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at University College London. He recently completed his Engineering Doctorate in Spatial Decision Support Systems, where he developed an interest in the application of usability design practices for the implementation of GIS projects. Dr Patrick Weber also has research interests in the evaluation of VGI projects adoption and interaction with the general public.

Dr Catherine (Kate) Jones is a lecturer in Human Geography in the department of Geography at the University of Portsmouth with 8 years expertise in delivering GIS projects, analysis and mapping solutions for variety of public sector bodies: local councils, London Metropolitan Police and NHS Primary Care Trusts. Having been awarded her MSc in GIS in 2003 she completed her PhD in 2008 and worked as a post-doc on an interdisciplinary academic research project (2007-2009) - all at UCL. She is an expert within the field of cartography, usability analysis and useful and useable GIS for enabling and developing spatial capabilities for non-domain experts.

Theme: research