Research Project

Visual Displays of Spatial Data to Communicate Warnings and Risk to Underserved Communities

Abstract

Maps displayed over the internet are a rapidly evolving area to communicate geospatial information to larger audiences in multiple applications, such as census data, health warnings, weather emergencies, economic changes, or everyday activities. Although there is an increase in the technology that makes data available online, it is unclear whether the advances in data displays, forecasting and information used in apps and websites, translates into decision-making or behavioral change at the users’ end. This project will evaluate how underserved populations interpret, process and respond to risk-associated data, especially warnings for environmental events. The project will assess the effectiveness of knowledge communication in geo-visualization on the web for different hazards at various spatial and temporal time scales. The project will generate user-derived data to identify strategies to customize geo-visualizations and online displays to promote decision-making. After the funding period ends, the education component will continue advancing research that informs theory and practice for online customization of geo-visualizations for the online public.

Motivation/Research Problem

Although there is an increase in the technology that makes data available online, it is unclear whether the advances in data displays, forecasting and information used in apps and websites translates into decision-making or behavioral change at the users’ end. Geographic literacy and map reading skills are not inherent to users of portable computers or phones, hindering their ability to take advantage of the abundance of geographic data. This is particularly problematic in all stages of an environmental emergency when online data visualizations communicate critical data to users with the expectation that it will prompt a decision that may save lives and/or property. In this sense, the understanding of geovisualizations as elements to promote learning and decision-making is in high need.

Research Team

Lead Researchers:

Mario Giraldo, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Collaborators:

Joe Roberts

Student Team:

Shantel.Perez
Katya Yanez

Funding

Funding Organization: NASA
Funding Program: HBCU

Alignment, Engagement and Contributions to the priorities of NASA’s Mission Directorates

This project will advance current theory in visualization and cartography by investigating decision-making as a step to further knowledge acquisition in the map-user interaction theoretical model. The project proposes transdisciplinary research in principles of data science by bringing together students and faculty from geography (GIS-Remote Sensing), computer science (and engineering), psychology, and the humanities to derive user-based information through integrated research and training activities to develop theory and apply solutions for customized data visualizations to inform decision-making.

Research Questions and Research Objectives

Are people with no training or special knowledge in cartography or mapping techniques able to derive knowledge from online visualizations and maps? Does the frequent use of geo-visualizations increase the level of spatial skills necessary to make decisions based on the data presented in visualizations? Are the displays, symbols, terms and abbreviations used to present data online effective to communicating information to the public from underserved communities?

Research Methods

Design and implement an assessment tool for users’ data interaction.
To identify the extent of the user-map interaction and gaps in knowledge acquisition and decision-making
To develop a framework for customized visualizations to communicate emergency and risk

Research Deliverables and Products

The project will provide user-derived information regarding how an underserved community interacts with geo-visualizations for emergency preparation. The project will establish effectiveness of user-map interaction in order to identify areas to improve the next generation of web-based maps. The project will provide user-derived data to support future work in the area of customization of visualizations.

Research Timeline

Design: 6 months
Implementation: 6-8 months
Assessment of user-map interaction: 6 months
Framework for customized visualizations: 6 months