Enhancing the Usability of Historical Geoportal with User Studies—Atlas Fontium Case Study

Abstract

For decades, we have observed a significant increase in spatial and digital humanities research. Among other approaches, historical spatial data are published online via various geoportals. Introducing geographic information systems (GIS) to spatial history has influenced the whole research process, from data collection to the dissemination and publication of research results. The significant role of historical geoportals in research and dissemination did not, however, result in a comprehensive set of requirements for their functionality, nor in a domain-specific methodology tailored to applications with historical data and designed for the audience focusing on the past. The current article presents a study aiming to compare perceived usability assessments of historical geoportal functionalities among researchers with diverse backgrounds (Polish users vs. foreign users, historians vs. geographers). A mixed-methods approach was employed, comprising an online survey (N = 117) and two focus group interviews (N = 5). Historians were less interested in functions that enabled work with spatial data in other software than geographers and preferred ready-to-use GIS solutions. The number of significant differences between the answers of respondents from Poland and abroad was limited. We conclude by formulating recommendations aiming at content structure, layout, and language options. We also reflect on the role of optimization of a search engine.