Evaluation of user interfaces for geographic information systems: A case study
This paper presents an evaluation of user interfaces of two Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools, ArcView and Spring. This work is related to a specific characteristic of those interfaces, which is to allow the user to view a map. User interfaces were evaluated based on the main cognitive difficulties related to the execution and evaluation bridges employing a cognitive engineering approach and, complementarily, in accordance with the semiotics engineering parameter called "system communicability". Both evaluated systems are generally considered to be quite complex, not only in terms of understanding the interaction elements present in the interface, but also the knowledge embedded in the tasks that can be accomplished by these systems. Although the study described in this work was focused on a single task it confirmed the general opinion about these kinds of applications: a novice user cannot explore them without some assistance from an expert user or by studying books and manuals. Even an expert user usually faces significant difficulties using those GIS tools.
geographic information systems cognitive engineering usability