Exploring Geospatial data through Verbal Protocol Analysis (VPA): A case study at Hohai University, China

In this paper, Usability Engineering (UE) is used to explore geospatial data at the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, China. In geo-spatial data presentation, exploration and analysis, knowledge is disseminated, accumulated or accentuated. For learning purpose, this knowledge needs to be evaluated. The increasing use of the computer and multi-media to disseminate geographical information place their own specific demands for the final user. By visual presentation, exploration and analysis users are able to identify features in their minds, since visualization qualifies results and not quantification of results. In the Engineering Education (EE) setup, students create Geoinformation related applications which are archived for later use. The spatial knowledge accumulated is sometimes difficult to apprehend when retrieved. Thus a procedure, such as VPA Archival Management System (VAMS), is needed to recall the ideas embedded in the archived datasets. The test method used is the Verbal Protocol Analysis (VPA). In addition, use of explicit structured questionnaire, video recording, onscreen capturing, and formative evaluation and case study frameworks were used to efficiently, effectively and satisfactorily determine the spatial cognition taking place in user's minds.