GEOSS StP Browse Scenario Doug Nebert 13Jun2011

Support rapid discovery of data in support of critical EO priorities The GEO Web Portal supports search by user-supplied terms that are used to form a query against full-text search of Clearinghouse CSW or local catalog Adding a browse capability would allow a novice user to navigate through a hierarchy to data by only clicking on progressively more specific terms and then the data/services related to them This presents an alternative to navigation or classification by SBA that is based on the medium in which the observation is made or targeted

Selected GCMD Topics and Terms are used for the two highest levels of the hierarchy. The specific observable parameters, as identified by the UIC research are provided by the EO vocabulary from various sources, including and extending GCMD Allow a user to select lowest-level terms from the hierarchy to find data. Atmosphere Climate Indicators Cryosphere Human Dimensions Land Surface Oceans Solid Earth Terrestrial Hydrosphere Atmospheric temperature Atmospheric winds Surface wind direction (5) Upper level winds (3) Metadata Get Data Metadata View on Map Get Data Helper Software Metadata Query Catalog

Preconditions Selected vocabulary values are created by the ontology task team with context linkages to the GCMD Topic and Term. This is complete for the Table 13 priorities and within the week (?) will be complete for all SBA-defined critical EO priorities The EO vocabulary should include a cross-walk field to the SBA(s) that referenced each observation type. Vocabulary is encoded in a navigable XML format for use by the GWP Vocabulary values are already encoded into GCMD entries and will be solicited on input in the CSR for registration as well as through guidance to all remote catalogs for inclusion in remote metadata. GEOSS Data-CORE tagging could also be used to find Critical EO+CORE GWP support for query formulation and result presentation with links to the data and helper apps

UI Scenario Steps GWP presents the user with a hierarchical tree control showing only the highest level categories. (Selected GCMD Topics) User clicks on a category and the next level of hierarchy (GCMD Term) is exposed User selects the Earth Observation value from the integrated vocabulary with GCMD Variables from the GEO Vocabulary Other restrictions (location, date range, DataCORE) are selected in the browse form A search is sent to the Clearinghouse for data that meet the search criteria The results are returned from the browse request as titles and abstracts with links to show more metadata and select the data link or map view, and present accessible helper apps for the data If the item is an EO catalog that can be further searched, a search widget is presented to the user to refine an inventory search

Discussion The GEO vocabulary, reconciled with the subject matter experts and GCMD taxonomic constructs provides a means to present EO information in a variety of ways (SBA, GCMD, medium of observation Browse is an appropriate technique to provide an exploration of information especially outside the immediate area of expertise whereas search requires more knowledge about the right text to use Support of Browse is a valuable upgrade to existing capability with minimal expense based on GCI infrastructure