Dredger S Michelle, Kothari Anita, Morrison Jason, Sawada Michael, Crighton Eric J, Graham Ian D
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, S113-750 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, Canada.
Int J Health Geogr. 2007 Nov 27;6:53. doi: 10.1186/1476-072X-6-53.
Organizations that collect substantial data for decision-making purposes are often characterized as being 'data rich' but 'information poor'. Maps and mapping tools can be very useful for research transfer in converting locally collected data into information. Challenges involved in incorporating GIS applications into the decision-making process within the non-profit (public) health sector include a lack of financial resources for software acquisition and training for non-specialists to use such tools. This on-going project has two primary phases. This paper critically reflects on Phase 1: the participatory design (PD) process of developing a collaborative web-based GIS tool.
A case study design is being used whereby the case is defined as the data analyst and manager dyad (a two person team) in selected Ontario Early Year Centres (OEYCs). Multiple cases are used to support the reliability of findings. With nine producer/user pair participants, the goal in Phase 1 was to identify barriers to map production, and through the participatory design process, develop a web-based GIS tool suited for data analysts and their managers. This study has been guided by the Ottawa Model of Research Use (OMRU) conceptual framework.
Due to wide variations in OEYC structures, only some data analysts used mapping software and there was no consistency or standardization in the software being used. Consequently, very little sharing of maps and data occurred among data analysts. Using PD, this project developed a web-based mapping tool (EYEMAP) that was easy to use, protected proprietary data, and permit limited and controlled sharing between participants. By providing data analysts with training on its use, the project also ensured that data analysts would not break cartographic conventions (e.g. using a chloropleth map for count data). Interoperability was built into the web-based solution; that is, EYEMAP can read many different standard mapping file formats (e.g. ESRI, MapInfo, CSV).
Based on the evaluation of Phase 1, the PD process has served both as a facilitator and a barrier. In terms of successes, the PD process identified two key components that are important to users: increased data/map sharing functionality and interoperability. Some of the challenges affected developers and users; both individually and as a collective. From a development perspective, this project experienced difficulties in obtaining personnel skilled in web application development and GIS. For users, some data sharing barriers are beyond what a technological tool can address (e.g. third party data). Lastly, the PD process occurs in real time; both a strength and a limitation. Programmatic changes at the provincial level and staff turnover at the organizational level made it difficult to maintain buy-in as participants changed over time. The impacts of these successes and challenges will be evaluated more concretely at the end of Phase 2.
PD approaches, by their very nature, encourage buy-in to the development process, better addresses user-needs, and creates a sense of user-investment and ownership.
为决策目的收集大量数据的组织通常被描述为“数据丰富”但“信息匮乏”。地图和制图工具对于将本地收集的数据转化为信息的研究转移非常有用。将地理信息系统（GIS）应用纳入非营利（公共）卫生部门决策过程所涉及的挑战包括缺乏购买软件的资金以及为非专业人员提供使用此类工具的培训。这个正在进行的项目有两个主要阶段。本文批判性地反思了第一阶段：开发基于网络的协作式GIS工具的参与式设计（PD）过程。
采用案例研究设计，将案例定义为安大略省早期教育中心（OEYC）中选定的数据分析师和经理二元组（两人团队）。使用多个案例来支持研究结果的可靠性。在第一阶段，有九对生产者/用户参与者，目标是确定地图制作的障碍，并通过参与式设计过程，开发一个适合数据分析师及其经理的基于网络的GIS工具。本研究以渥太华研究应用模型（OMRU）概念框架为指导。
由于OEYC结构差异很大，只有一些数据分析师使用制图软件，并且所使用的软件没有一致性或标准化。因此，数据分析师之间很少共享地图和数据。通过参与式设计，该项目开发了一个基于网络的制图工具（EYEMAP），它易于使用，保护专有数据，并允许参与者之间进行有限且可控的共享。通过为数据分析师提供使用培训，该项目还确保数据分析师不会违反制图惯例（例如，对计数数据使用分级统计图）。基于网络的解决方案内置了互操作性；也就是说，EYEMAP可以读取许多不同的标准制图文件格式（例如ESRI、MapInfo、CSV）。
基于对第一阶段的评估，参与式设计过程既是促进因素，也是障碍。在成功方面，参与式设计过程确定了对用户很重要的两个关键要素：增强的数据/地图共享功能和互操作性。一些挑战对开发者和用户都有影响，无论是单独还是作为一个集体。从开发角度来看，该项目在获取网络应用开发和GIS方面的技术人员时遇到困难。对于用户来说，一些数据共享障碍超出了技术工具所能解决的范围（例如第三方数据）。最后，参与式设计过程是实时进行的，这既是优势也是局限。省级层面的计划变更和组织层面的人员流动使得随着时间推移参与者发生变化时，难以维持参与度。这些成功和挑战的影响将在第二阶段结束时进行更具体的评估。
参与式设计方法本质上鼓励对开发过程的参与，更好地满足用户需求，并营造用户投入感和主人翁意识。
