Abstract
Four focus group interviews provided an evaluation of the concepts of the graphic narrative and the stage-and-play metaphor for dynamic cartography. The 26 information, cartographic> and computer specialists who participated in the interviews provided a range of opinions on graphic scripts and the dynamic integration of maps and statistical graphs. Respondents in each session first viewed a graphic script designed to explore the correlation between two spatial distributions and then discussed the script’s informativeness, coherence, merit, and deficiencies. Respondents next viewed and discussed a two-part demonstration of portions of a time-series script and of user-control enhancements for the correlation script. Participants found the graphic narrative engaging and informative, were able to discern patterns in the data without identifying false patterns, and contributed a variety of suggestions and criticisms useful in refining both the prototype scripts and the theory of narrative graphics. As a design improvement methodology, focus groups should prove to be useful in addressing a broad range of cartographic problems.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 37-47 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Cartography and Geographic Information Systems |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1994 |
Keywords
- Design improvement
- Dynamic cartography
- Focus groups
- Graphic script
- Interface design
- Multimedia
- Narrative graphics
- User needs
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Computer Science
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences