Human-Machine Interfaces, Geospatial Data

The USGS has a long record in the development of cartographic products and geospatial data. The National Map is the United States topographic map for the 21st century, leveraging current developments in Internet technology, web services, and partnerships to enable online, interactive public access to high-quality geospatial data from multiple sources. A well-designed and user-friendly interface is essential for successful use of this web mapping service. This GIScience research project investigates user-centered methods for designing and evaluating the public interface to The National Map. Through an iterative interactive process of user evaluation in conjunction with computer systems development (ISO, 1999), we hope to permit easy access to quality maps, geospatial data, and geographic information services for the mapping and visualization needs of many different users. The project is interdisciplinary, drawing on theories of map use (MacEachren 1995), visualization (MacEachren an