JISC

Summary

USeD will focus on improving the usability and learnability of a widely used (48,000+ user base, downloading data volumes worth c.£20M at commercial cost) research tool providing access to valuable geospatial research data – specifically the data download of Ordnance Survey data from the JISC funded Digimap service. The complexity of the underlying data, the heterogeneous nature of the user base and the broad range of digital literacy across this user base poses both usability and learnability challenges. We propose to address this 'spatial literacy' gap by conducting user focussed research to develop stereotypical Personas which can be geared to improving work-flow for differently-abled users across the spectrum from novice to expert. The results of this usability and learnability testing will then be implemented in a new Digimap Downloader tool

Objectives

USeD aims to investigate the different users of Digimap data downloader and create a number of stereotypical user Personas. Personas will be based on user requirements, the expectations of the service and users knowledge of spatial data. USeD will investigate technology options that could deliver functionality required by Personas and will then develop a user-interface which can be tested through user testing. The final objective would be to build and test a new Digimap Downloader user-interface that is tailored and adaptable to the needs of recognisable Personas.

Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes

Outputs and outcomes of the uSeD project include:

• Personas Report – stereotypical user Personas and current user requirements
• Technological Assessment – overview of current tech that may aid delivery of functionality in new downloader
• User requirements report – Final report on Personas and user-requirements
• New Digimap Downloader
• Relevant user documentation to support in-service utilisation