Human-data interaction in geoprocessing applications: design recommendations from inspections, user evaluations and expert experiences

Abstract

Interactive applications to explore data are increasing daily as numerous data sources are used across various contexts. Consequently, it becomes imperative to consider the quality of user interaction and interpretation when dealing with data. In recent years, another noteworthy aspect gaining prominence is the utilization of geoprocessing to depict distances on maps, determine routes, and perform other related functions in the environmental area. Analyzing data within geoprocessing systems demands appropriate procedures to enhance the interactive technologies employed in such systems. This issue entails adopting user-centered approaches and strategies to mitigate the inherent complexity. While numerous heuristics are available for human-computer interaction studies, and some heuristics for human-data interaction have been developed recently, the availability of heuristics specifically catering to interaction and interpretation of data in maps remains limited. This study aimed to propose design recommendations specifically for human-data interaction within the geoprocessing domain. The development of these recommendations involved a series of studies conducted to identify the most significant issues pertaining to the interactions and development processes. The method included interviews with geoprocessing experts, usability inspections and tests with users. The first step involved interviews with 15 specialists in geoprocessing applications to understand the primary challenges associated with the development of this technology. The second step involved performing heuristic evaluations with three specialists in human-computer interaction, utilizing existing heuristics. The final step involved conducting user tests to ascertain users’ difficulties when interacting with data displayed on maps. For this investigation, four geoprocessing applications from the market were evaluated: "SNISB" (18 users), and "SIOUT SC", , "P3M", and "Observatório da Agropecuária" (27 users, 9 on each system). These applications, developed by the Brazilian Government, aim to provide information to diverse user groups. Following an analysis of the obtained results, the thematic analysis of the interviews yielded two themes: 1) Characteristics of Geoprocessing Systems in Environmental Contexts and Implications for Design and 2) Development of Applications for Geo Data Interaction in Environmental Contexts, divided into three subthemes each. The usability inspections of the four applications yielded 211 problems. Usability evaluations with users yielded 186 unique problems. The problems from both evaluations yielded seven categories. From the analysis of the expert interviews, inspections with usability specialists, and user evaluations, the study drew ten recommendations for the design of geoprocessing interactive applications, which were divided into product and process recommendations. The proposed recommendations aim to improve the development of interactive data-intensive geoprocessing and improvements in the usability of such applications.