The document explores the concept of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), which involves untrained individuals creating geographic data. It emphasizes the importance of researching human factors to improve the usability of VGI products and discusses the relationships and perceptions of different stakeholders, including consumers and professionals. Future research aims to assess the added value of combining volunteered and professional geographic information for enhanced user benefits.

1. Understanding the Volunteer in VGIChristopher J. ParkerSpatial SocialCultural Knowledge Workshop 15 June 2010

2. OverviewThe language of Volunteered Geographic InformationWhy human factors?Current workFuture workSummaryDiscussion2

3. Overview3

4. Overview4

5. 1 The Language of VGI5

6. 61 The Language of VGIVolunteered Geographic Information The creation of geographic information by largely untrained volunteers (Goodchild 2007)Day 0Day 10OSM – State of the Map 20096

7. 1 The Language of VGIVolunteered Geographic Information The creation of geographic information by largely untrained volunteersNeogeographyNeogeography is the process of take geotagged information (data) and layering it over a map. Information?Geographic InformationGeolocated Information7NeogeographyConsumerVolunteer

8. 1 The Language of VGI8www.Rottenneighbor.comwww.housingmaps.com

9. 1 The Language of VGI"Digital Earth is an integral part of other advanced technologies including: earth observation, geo-information systems, global positioning systems, communication networks, sensor webs, electromagnetic identifiers, virtual reality, grid computation, etc. It is seen as a global strategic contributor to scientific and technological developments, and will be a catalyst in finding solutions to international scientific and societal issues”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Earth9

10. 1 The Language of VGI10(Elwood 2008; Crampton 2008; Wozniak 2009; Zook, Graham 2007; Tulloch 2008; Aberley, Sieber 2010)

11. 1 The Language of VGINeogeographyPGIProfessional Geographic InformationVGIVolunteered Geographic InformationVGLIVolunteered Geo-Located Information11

12. 1 The Language of VGI12

13. 1 The Language of VGI13PGIVGIVGLI

14. 2 Why Research Human Factors?14

15. 2 Why Research Human FactorsTo date little research in this areaFocusing on human issues may allow for higher ‘value’Net benefits over net sacrifices (Zeithaml 1988)Need to address the issues of usability of VGI productsUseful, usable, satisfying to use15

16. 2 Why Research Human FactorsUsability A set of attributes that bear on the effort needed for use, and on the individual assessment of such use, by a stated or implied set of users (ISO 9126)Human FactorsA philosophy based on the needs and interests of the user, with an emphasis on making products usable and understandable (Norman 2002)16

17. 3 Current Research17

18. 3 Current ResearchThe nature of VGI usersWho is producing VGI?What are the relationships between users?What data flow exists between users?The value of VGI to usersWhat perceptual benefits may be received from the use of VGI?What concerns or tensions are felt by users of VGI which may affect the user experience of VGI systems?How do different types of users perceive the information they are producing/ utilising?How do the theories of consumer value associate with user perceptions of VGI?18

19. 3 Current Research19

20. 203 Current Research15 respondents OpenStreetMapGoogle MapsGI ProfessionalsSemi structured interviewsFocused on Personal Value‘snowball’ non-probability samplingIn depth analysis with NVivo 8Thematic analysis; 208 salient themesCompared stakeholder groups against one anotherCreation of a Rich Picture from results20

21. 213 Current Research

22. 223 Current ResearchConsumers select their map product to best fit their circumstances with little loyalty to the brand: Apart from using it like everybody does in terms of looking for places and directions, I’ve used Google My Maps, at the moment mainly for my own use... I’ve used it in a work context because I was trying to organise a meeting.

23. 233 Current ResearchSpecial Interest Mapping Groups (SIMGs), contributors (SIMGCs) and professionals are particularly vested in the use of their groups’ map:I’ll often check out to see if the local CTC has a website [same map project involved in] to see what’s on there. And being able to find where the tea places are in the locality is quite useful.

24. 243 Current ResearchSIMGCs produce data for group members and external parties to use their data:It’s mainly just a project to collect data... we hope other people will use it for whatever they feel free to use it for.

25. 253 Current ResearchSIMGCs are less concerned about inaccuracies as they have a vested interest in improving the data - seeing gaps as opportunities:It has its faults but there are no glaring errors... It’s very much if you don’t like it you can fix it yourself which appeals to my, well, sense of working I suppose.

26. 263 Current ResearchSIMGs and professionals can be in constant tension with each other as their agendas and ideologies do not necessarily fit with each other. It kind of annoys me that Google are potentially using the same kind of idea. [OpenStreetMap SIMGC]

27. 273 Current ResearchBetween professional bodies, business rivalry may exist but they work alongside each other. I will be chatting to my opposite number at Microsoft, and my opposite number at Google... we shouldn't even be friendly for Christ's sake according to the old fashioned rules of how you do business, and those old fashioned rules don't really apply any more.

28. 3 Current ResearchThe main stakeholder groups are identifiedConsumers, Special Interest Mapping GroupsLocal Communities ProfessionalsThe Rich Picture effectively provided context to the research outcomes and represented stakeholder relationships in an easily accessible fashion. Different stakeholders will perceive elements of VGI very differently, based on which stakeholder group they may be identified with.If considering value as the improvement to a stakeholder’s condition through utilising VGI, a salient increase in stakeholder value can be observed in all functional and work related perceptionsThe implication of this work should be to provide a framework of VGI stakeholders to be utilised within future user-centred VGI research 2828

29. 4 Future Research29

30. 4 Future Research30

31. 4 Future ResearchWhat is the ‘value’ of volunteered data to the user in terms of benefit over and above professional data?What is the perceived benefit to the user of combining VGLI with PGI in a map based product?How does volunteered information impact upon the activities of user communities?What factors influence the users ‘trust’ in the volunteered or professional information presented through the map mashup?31

32. 4 Future Research

33. 4 Future Research33

34. 4 Future Research34

35. 4 Future Research35Professional Information

36. Volunteered Geo-Located Information

37. Under different tasks, information has different levels of importance

38. Focus on where the VGLI may have a profound impact on the task at hand to demonstrate potential value of VGLI.4 Future Research36Need information about water courses which may change dramaticallyCover diverse information types from simple canals to dangerous white waterAccessible, sociable and wide spreadAll year roundNot tied to a single spotMany different forms of information needed for one trip

39. 4 Future Research37

40. 4 Future Research38Part 1 – Data CollectionPart 2 – VGI Vs PGI in User ValueVolunteered InformationLocal Kayaking group donate information about a selected course (test course) they are familiar with.Using VGLI enhanced productA non-local group is invited to the test course and provided with standard ‘traditional’ information sourced enhanced by VGI about the course.InformationUsing Standard PGI productA non-local group is invited to the test course and provided with standard ‘traditional’ information sourced enhanced by VGI about the course.Professional InformationThe ‘professional’ information used by the Kayaking club for the test course is collected to be presented to later participantsInformation

41. 5 Summary39

42. 5 SummaryResearch AimHow volunteered information can be used with professional information to produce products and services of higher user value than either VGI or PGI alonePresented a simple languagePGIVGIVGLIDemonstrated how different user types perceive VGI differentProposal of research to demonstrate how volunteered information can provide value to the user over and above professional information40