Understanding spatial data usability

• Published in: Data science journal Vol. 2; pp. 79 - 89
• Main Authors: Hunter, G.J, Wachowicz, M, Bregt, A.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Ubiquity Press 2003
• Subjects: Alterra - Centrum Geo-informatie; ALTERRA Wageningen UR; Centre Geo-information; Laboratorium voor Geo-informatiekunde en remote sensing; Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing; PE&RC; Research questions; Spatial data; Usability; Usability elements; Wageningen Environmental Research
• ISSN: 1683-1470; 1683-1470
• DOI: 10.2481/dsj.2.79

In recent geographical information science literature, a number of researchers have made passing reference to an apparently new characteristic of spatial data known as 'usability'. While this attribute is well-known to professionals engaged in software engineering and computer interface design and testing, extension of the concept to embrace information would seem to be a new development. Furthermore, while notions such as the use and value of spatial information, and the diffusion of spatial information systems, have been the subject of research since the late-1980s, the current references to usability clearly represent something which extends well beyond that initial research. Accordingly, the purposes of this paper are: (1) to understand what is meant by spatial data usability; (2) to identify the elements that might comprise usability; and (3) to consider what the related research questions might be.