• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.225-249
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to develop an evaluation tool for map-based data visualization platforms and to conduct heuristic usability evaluations on existing platforms representing inter-regional information. We compared and analyzed the usability evaluation criteria of map-based platforms from the previous studies along with Nielsen's (1994) 10 usability evaluation principles. We proposed nine evaluation criteria, including (1) visibility, (2) representation of the real world, (3) consistency and standards, (4) user control and friendliness, (5) flexibility, (6) design, (7) compatibility, (8) error prevention and handling, and (9) help provision and documentation. Additionally, to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed criteria, four experts was invited to evaluate five domestic and international map-based data visualization platforms. As a result, the experts were able to rank the usability of the five platforms using the proposed map-based data visualization usability evaluation criteria, which included quantified scores and subjective opinions. The results of this study are expected to serve as foundational material for the future development and evaluation of map-based visualization platforms.