Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-129). Also available in print.

This dissertation presents a study of creating maps that can be used to help people seek information from Internet documents. The study involves several different research areas in computer and information science including web mining, data mining, artificial neural network in particular self organising maps (SOM), information visualisation, user interface and information retrieval. The purpose of this dissertation is to offer an alternative way to retrieve information by visually representing the characteristics of the unseen documents and their relationships on the 2-dimensional surface of the SOM. The process starts with collecting documents that include text and images from the Internet, moving to extracting important features from them. In other words, we are performing an information retrieval indexing process. The document features are then clustered by using the SOM. As a result, documents with similar features will be clustered together on 2-dimensional maps. The maps are labelled and the documents are connected to locations on the maps based on the labels. The maps are then arranged hierarchically and visualised so that they can be used as a browsing and exploration tool for information retrieval.

This dissertation presents a study of creating maps that can be used to help people seek information from Internet documents. The study involves several different research areas in computer and information science including web mining, data mining, artificial neural network in particular self organising maps (SOM), information visualisation, user interface and information retrieval. The purpose of this dissertation is to offer an alternative way to retrieve information by visually representing the characteristics of the unseen documents and their relationships on the 2-dimensional surface of the SOM. The process starts with collecting documents that include text and images from the Internet, moving to extracting important features from them. In other words, we are performing an information retrieval indexing process. The document features are then clustered by using the SOM. As a result, documents with similar features will be clustered together on 2-dimensional maps. The maps are labelled and the documents are connected to locations on the maps based on the labels. The maps are then arranged hierarchically and visualised so that they can be used as a browsing and exploration tool for information retrieval. / We propose a novel method to automatically label the SOM, called HLabelSOM, that produces hierarchical maps and allows documents to place more than one location on the map. In a visualisation interface, called DocMap, we display these hierarchical maps to help people seeking information. The different levels of the hierarchical maps are able to serve users with different information needs, form the needs of general information to the needs of documents in specific topics. Moreover, users may change their intent in the search process, switching from a more general to a more detailed focus or vice versa. The flexibility of placing documents in more than one location itself increases the chance to find the desired documents. Most importantly, by using DocMap a mental contact between a user and the set of documents is established. The user is able to see the relationships among documents topics and find the desired documents with reasonable time and effort. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2005.

Informal settlements are a common occurrence in South African due to housing backlogs and shortage of housing subsidies, and are often located on disputed land. To improve in-situ circumstances of these communities, informal settlement upgrades and urban design is required. Spatial data and maps are essential throughout the entire upgrading and urban design process in order to understand the current environment, plan new developments and communicate planned developments. All stakeholders need to understand maps to ensure active participation in the urban design process. Previous research demonstrated that a large number of planning professionals in South Africa have a relatively low level of map literacy, which is considered to be inadequate for effective planning. Many researchers proclaimed that because 3D visualisations resemble the real environment more than traditional maps, and are more intuitive, therefore 3D geovisualisations are easier to interpret. The goal of this research is to investigate the use of 3D geovisualisations (specifically 3D city models) for urban design in informal settlement upgrading in South Africa. To achieve this goal, the following topics were investigated: modelling processes (manual and procedural); visual design (visual characteristics, visual complexity and visual variables); and cognition related to spatial tasks on 3D geovisualisations and comparable alternatives (i.e. topographic maps, aerial photographs, 2D maps) when performing basic map reading tasks. Procedural modelling was found to be a feasible alternative to time-consuming manual modelling and has the capabilities to produce high-quality models. When investigating the visual design, the visualisation characteristics of 3D models of informal settlements, and relevance of a subset of visual variables for urban design activities of informal settlement upgrades were assessed. The results were used to produce various maps and 3D geovisualisations that were presented in quantitative user studies and expert interviews. The results of four user studies and expert interviews contributed to understanding the impact of various levels of complexity in 3D city models and map literacy of future geoinformatics and planning professionals when using aerial photographs, 2D maps and 3D models. The research results could assist planners in designing suitable 3D models for use throughout the entire urban design process. / As gevolg van agterstande met behuising en ’n tekort aan behuisingsubsidies, is informele woongebiede ’n algemene verskynsel in Suid-Afrika en is dit dikwels op betwiste grond geleë. Om hierdie in-situ omstandighede van die gemeenskappe te verbeter, is daar opgradering en stedelike beplanning nodig. Ruimtelike data en kaarte is deurlopend noodsaaklik vir die volledige opgradering en stadsbeplanningproses om sodoende die huidige omgewing te verstaan, nuwe ontwikkelings te beplan en die beplande ontwikkelings te kommunikeer. Dit is noodsaaklik dat alle rolspelers kaarte verstaan om aktiewe deelname aan die stedelike beplanningsproses te verseker. Vorige navorsing het getoon dat ’n groot aantal professionele beplanners in Suid-Afrika ’n relatiewe lae vlak van kaartgeletterdheid het, wat beskou word as onvoldoende om doeltreffende beplanning te kan doen. Baie navorsers maak daarop aanspraak dat 3D geovisualiserings nader aan die werklike omgewing is en dat dit meer intuïtief en makliker as tradisionele kaarte vertolk kan word. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om die gebruik van 3D geovisualiserings (meer spesifiek 3D stadsmodelle) te ondersoek om die ontwikkeling van stadsbeplanning in informele woongebiede in Suid-Afrika op te gradeer. Om hierdie doelwit te bereik, is die volgende onderwerpe nagevors: modelleringsprosesse (volgens handleidings en prosesse); visuele ontwerp (visuele eienskappe, visuele kompleksiteit en visuele veranderlikes); en die herkenning van verwante ruimtelike take op 3D geovisualiserings en vergelykbare alternatiewe (byvoorbeeld topografiese kaarte, lugfoto’s, 2D kaarte) wanneer basiese kaartlees take uitgevoer word. Prosedurele modellering is ’n haalbare alternatief teenoor tydrowende modellering volgens handleidings en dit het die moontlikhede om hoë kwaliteit modelle te lewer. By die ondersoek van visuele ontwerp is die visuele karaktereienskappe van 3D modelle van informele woongebiede en die relevantheid van ’n onderafdeling van visuele veranderlikes beoordeel/geassesseer vir ontwerpaktiwiteite by informele nedersettings. Die resultate is gebruik om verskillende kaarte en 3D geovisualiserings te skep wat in kwantitatiewe gebruikerstudies en in onderhoude met kenners aangebied is. Die resultate van vier gebruikerstudies en onderhoude met kenners, het bygedra om die impak te verstaan van verskillende moeilikheidsvlakke van 3D stadsmodelle en kaartgeletterdheid van toekomstige geoinformatika- en professionele beplanners wanneer lugfoto’s, 2D kaarte en 3D modelle gebruik word. Die navorsingsresultate kan beplanners ondersteun om geskikte 3D modelle te ontwerp wat deurlopend in die stedelike beplanningsproses gebruik kan word. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / National Research Foundation (NRF) / German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) / University of Pretoria’s vice-chancellor academic development grant / University of Pretoria’s Study Abroad programme / Centre for Geoinformation Science / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / PhD / Unrestricted

Maps are increasingly being used in traditional and virtual media, and civic discourse on political, social, and environmental issues, among others, is more and more becoming influenced by them. The often-used expression of a “picture tells a 1000 words” has never been so apt in our progressively more visual world. Despite this increased role and importance of maps, map literacy, as a field of research, remains rather underdeveloped. This is especially so for thematic maps, the very type of map that is finding increasing currency in discourse. As part of this under-developed nature of map literacy, the quantitative skills used in map reading and interpretation have not been systematically investigated, and previous commentary on the subject has been limited to listings of relatively low-level skills. As modern technologies, such as GIS, enable the more sophisticated production of maps, their interpretation can come to depend on more advanced quantitative literacy. The quantitative literacy required for map interpretation can also be expected to vary significantly with the type of map, and while map literacy studies generally recognize the broad distinction of reference and thematic maps, they do not provide a more nuanced framework for investigating how quantitative literacy may vary both within these broad categories and for maps which overlap these categories. This dissertation represents a first attempt to address these issues, and at least provide conceptual frameworks for their investigation. For the first conceptual framework, the dissertation introduces a three-set Venn model to discuss the content and relationships of three “literacies”: map literacy, quantitative literacy, and background information. As part of this, the field of Quantitative Map Literacy (QMP) is introduced and defined as the knowledge (concepts, skills and facts) required to accurately read, use, interpret, and understand the quantitative information embedded in geographic backgrounds. It is conceptualized as the intersection of the Map Literacy and Quantitative Literacy “sets”. The dissertation also introduces the conceptual framework of a compositional triangle based on the ratio of reference to thematic map purpose and the level of generalization/distortion within maps. This framework allows for any type of map to be located within the triangle and then related to the type and level of quantitative literacy they demand. Finally, based on these two frameworks, the dissertation uses the pedagogical tool of “word problems” to explore the variability of map reading skills and knowledge, and does this for specific map examples.

Computers have vastly expanded capabilities for storing, creating, and manipulating spatial data, yet viewing area is still generally constrained to a single monitor. With this viewing window limitation, panning and zooming are required to view the full details of a map or image and, because of the large sizes of typical database, usually only in small portions. Multiple monitor configurations provide an attainable, low cost way for individuals to create large, high-resolution desktop displays. This increased screen real estate is particularly useful for viewing and interpreting rich and complex geospatial datasets because both context and amount of detail can be simultaneously increased, reducing reliance on virtual navigation to obtain the desired balance between context and scale. To evaluate the utility of multiple monitor displays for geospatial data, this experiment involved a variety of map and image reading tasks using both raster and vector data under three different monitor conditions: one monitor (1280 x 1024 pixels), four monitors (2560 x 2048 pixels), and nine monitors (3840 x 3072 pixels). Fifty-seven subjects took the test on one of the three display configurations. A computer program captured each subject's performance by recording answers, mouse click locations, viewing areas, tool usage, and elapsed time. A post-experiment questionnaire obtained additional qualitative feedback about subjects' experience with the tasks and display configuration. Overall, subjects did perform more efficiently on the larger display configurations as evidenced by a reduction in test completion time and in the amount of virtual navigation (mouse clicks) used to finish the test. Tool usage also differed among monitor conditions with navigation tools (zooming and panning) dominating on the single monitor while selecting tools (tools used to provide answers) predominated on the nine monitor display. While overall test results indicated the effectiveness of the larger displays, task-level analyses showed that specific performance varied considerably from task to task. The larger displays were the most efficient on some tasks, while other tasks showed similar results among all displays or even the single monitor as the most efficient. The best performance improvements occurred between the one and four monitor conditions, with the nine monitor condition mostly providing only modest additional improvement. Subjects rated the four monitor display size as the most ideal. / Master of Science

The field study examines the effect of the simulation game Battle Squares on the learning of the map reading skill of grid-reference determination by year 7 students. The effect of ability level and sex differences on the acquisition of gridreferencing skills were also examined. The simulation game developed is a modification of the traditional children's game Battleships. The modifications produced the major features of the grid system used on Australian Survey Map sheets without substantially altering the characteristics of the game Battleships. Two treatment groups played the simulation game, one group having experienced both a pre test and a post test and the other group only the post test. A third treatment did the pre test and post test without experiencing the simulation game. Students in both treatment groups which experienced the simulation game showed significant gains in the learning of grid-referencing skills. Students in upper ability level groups gained significantly better scores on the post test than students in lower ability level groups. Both upper and lower ability level groups showed significant gains. Girls performed significantly better than boys on the post test. Both boys and girls showed significant gains as a result of the simulation game experience. Ability level was a more important moderating variable than sex difference in producing variations in performance on the post test of grid-referencing skills. The explicit educational aims of the simulation game were effectively achieved in a short period of time, while maintaining student motivation and interest. The success of the simulation game in producing significant changes in grid referencing skills would appear to have resulted from the frequent practise of these skills the simulation game playing experience offers.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Dept. of Geomatics, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-173).

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 142-147. Also available online.

Maps, while often regarded as accurate representations of places and spaces unseen in lived experience, are created with specific purposes that reflect and perpetuate particular epistemological and ontological conceptions about space and place. Using Foucault's conception of power-knowledge relations, Deweyian notions of meaning-making, and complexity theory's idea of interobjectivity; these theoretical works inform the map as a constructed reality. While maps have been well-articulated as socio-political constructions imbued with power-knowledge relations within the critical spaces of cartography and geography, this scholarship has made very few inroads into history education. In order to develop curriculum using maps to develop critical geo-literacy, I draw on a twin lens of critical carto-geography. In advocating for a more critical literacies approach, I assert that maps ought to be incorporated in the history curriculum as primary source documents where students have the opportunity to analyze and interpret maps as political acts. Through analyzing descriptions of practice, I explore possibilities to fully engage students in thinking critically about the construction and interpretation of historical maps. I also discuss the role of geographic information systems (GIS) as a potentially transformative curriculum that advocates inquiry-based learning through GIS maps and mapping. Engaging students in meaningful curriculum that promotes critical geo-literacy not only enriches their learning experience, it broadens the potential for greater democratic practices in educational settings.