National Mapping Program user evaluation of selected current products

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) produces a variety of base cartographic data and derivative products to fulfill its National Mapping Program responsibilities. Although product characteristics have traditionally been determined by user needs, these needs have often been evaluated in response to specific issues. The objective of the User Evaluation of Selected Current Products is to provide the USGS with a broad baseline of product characteristic priorities, within core user populations, for use in modernizing and simplifying USGS base cartographic products. The USGS sent questionnaires to approximately 18,500 professional users from three spatial data communities. Using the 20-page questionnaires, respondents evaluated the accuracy, content, and use of USGS digital line graphs (DLG), digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQ), digital elevation models (DEM), and printed quadrangle maps. Results showed satisfaction with vertical and horizontal data accuracy, a need to increase product currentness, a need for more attributes on specific DLG features, a group of low priority features, and a strong preference for l:24,000-scale versus l:100,000-scale data. Response rates were 52.5 percent for USGS cooperators, 44.2 percent for professional association members, and 7.7 percent for a third group that included subscribers to GIS World magazine and user lists donated by Intergraph Corporation and the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 1 METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS This report provides a summary of the methodology and results, followed by tabulated answers expressed in counts and percents. Small adjustments to the data will be made to reflect ongoing quality control testing and questionnaires received after the initial tabulation of the data base. The adjustments should not preclude any practical applications of the current data. This report supersedes the previous internal report dated September 23, 1994. Methodology Three spatial data communities were selected to cover a wide mix of data producers and users within the public and private sectors: An "A-16" group consisted of individuals from Federal, State, and local government agencies who are periodically contacted by the USGS regarding their requirements, defined by geographic area, for standard USGS base cartographic data and maps. The USGS gathers these requirements and coordinates mapping activities under the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16 (revised 1990). An "Association" group consisted of 1,000 randomly sampled individuals from a total of approximately 12,000 names from the merged membership lists of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, AM/FM International, the Association of American Geographers, and the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association, and the mailing list of the Federal Geographic Data Committee. An "Other" group consiste...