1. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network Ben Shneiderman & Catherine Plaisant University of Maryland at College Park Gary Marchionini, Stephanie Haas & Carol Hert University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NSF Grants EIA 0131824 & EIA 0129978 ) www.ils.unc.edu/govstat

2. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory Interdisciplinary research community - Computer Science & Psychology - Information Studies & Education (www.cs.umd.edu/hcil)

3. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Scientific Approach (beyond user friendly) Specify users and tasks Predict and measure –time to learn –speed of performance –rate of human errors –human retention over time Assess subjective satisfaction (Questionnaire for User Interface Satisfaction) Accommodate individual differences Consider social, organizational & cultural context

4. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov U.S. Library of Congress Scholars, Journalists, Citizens Teachers, Students

5. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Visible Human Explorer (NLM) Doctors Surgeons Researchers Students

6. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov NASA Environmental Data Scientists Farmers Land planners Students

7. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Bureau of the Census Economists, Policy makers, Journalists Teachers, Students

8. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov NSF Digital Government Initiative Find what you need Understand what you Find www.ils.unc.edu/govstat/ Census, NCHS, BLS, EIA, NASS, SSA

9. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Treemap: Stock market, industry clustered

10. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Types of Collaboration Direct Support (2003-05) –BLS, SSA, Census, NCHS Prototype installation on FedStats server Face to Face Meetings –Biannual meetings in Washington DC (May, Dec) –Help Symposium in Chapel Hill, NC (Jan 21-22, 2005) –Partner meetings (BLS, Census, NICS) Listservs, paper co-authorships, evaluation Participate in Digital Government Conferences

11. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Research Value of DG Domain Opportunity to –See research applied in important domains –Work with large-scale problems Number of people affected Size of data sets and number of systems Open data sets –Help agencies shape vision and service –Work in interdisciplinary teams

12. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Challenges/Barriers Large number of stakeholders –Agencies and personnel –Diverse citizen population Interagency cultures and perspectives –Federal and state/local agencies –Academic departments Emphasis on security diverts attention from other important issues

13. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Scientific Research Objective Support non-specialist access and understanding of government statistics –Develop and evaluate user interfaces metadata strategies online help –Develop alternative information architectures and strategies “Find what you need, understand what you find”

14. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Accomplishments SKN architecture Relation Browser & Crawler Layered help model & ShowMe!s Layered metadata model Interactive Glossary implementation and user studies Audio map interface

15. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Statistical Knowledge Network Architecture Agencies SKN Registry Actions Contribute Find Display Annotate Understand Manipulate Collaborate ….. …………. Objects Actions Private Work Space Objects Actions Private Work Space Objects Actions Private Work Space OntologyRules & Constraints SKN Consortium ….. Objects Reports metadata Tables metadata People metadata Glossary Annotations

16. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Relation Browser: EIA pages

17. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov ShowMe! : Recorded Demonstrations Narrated demonstrations of procedures Show users < 1 min demos Use Screen Capture (e.g. Camtasia) with audio & highlighting Better than videos: sharper & smaller files

18. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Guidelines: Recorded Demonstrations Provide procedural or instructional information rather than conceptual information Keep segments short Ensure that tasks are clear and simple Coordinate demonstrations with text documentation Use spoken narration Be faithful to the actual user interface Use highlighting to guide attention Ensure user control Keep file sizes small Strive for universal usability

19. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Empirical Studies: FedStats  1 st : alphabetical list of 645 destination links  15 subjects starting on A-Z page/home page  2 nd : 16 categories list of 549 destination links  15 subjects starting on categories page  3 rd : 16 categories list of 215 portal links  15 subjects starting on categories page

20. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov FedStats - original version 645 links

21. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Scenarios Scenario 1: “I’m a social activist in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area and have become increasingly concerned about urban sprawl and the loss of rural areas for both farming and recreation. I need statistics to support my claim that significant differences occur when urban development occurs in rural and/or farming areas.” Scenario 2: “I would like to open a grocery store specializing in organic products in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. What are the trends in production and consumption of organic food products? Would the Seattle area be a good place to locate?” Scenario 3:” I’m contemplating a move from Seattle to Bozeman, MT. How do they compare?“

22. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov FedStats: 16 categories list of 549 destination links

23. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov FedStats: 16 categories list of 215 portal links

24. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Results

25. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Recommendations  Universal access - accommodate diversity of users: experts, first-time & one-time users  Easy Navigation - structured information  Common language - easy to understand terminology  Comparative search - allow comparative search.  Advanced search - fully functional search  Data Tools - support viewing & analyzing statistical data  Data Granularity - Allow user choice by geography & time

26. Towards a Statistical Knowledge Network. gov Recommendations for Improving DG Program Develop formal technology transfer models Develop sustainability models linked to technology transfer Increase levels of funding Develop mechanisms to involve state and local government agencies