Creating a usable web GIS for non-expert users : Identifying usability guidelines and implementing these in design

Abstract: Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are a set of tools for users to present, explore and analyze geographical data. Most of the users are considered professionals in using a GIS in their work domain. With GIS becoming more and more available on the internet, known as web GIS, the number of potential non-expert users also grows. Usability issues arise when the user is not in focus during the development of a web GIS. This study consists of two parts. Using a literature review I have categorized a number of usability issues from earlier research into two main groups which act as guidelines for the second part of this study. These guidelines were applied in a user centered design process consisting of contextual inquiries, semi structured interviews and observations, which focused on getting to learn about the user and their tasks. These methods were part of a case study conducted within a citizen science project, where people voluntarily report observations about species. Based on these results, different design hypotheses were created and evaluated through conducting iterative tests which resulted in a final design hypothesis.