Visualization of information: a proposal to improve the search and access to digital resources in repositories

Abstract

Presently, the most notable challenges associated with repositories in resolving problems of searches of digital resources, lie in providing an understanding of resource classification according to a knowledge representation scheme and the relationship between them. However, one of the areas with very little research in the field is the study of visual search interfaces that provide access to relevant materials in digital repositories; more specifically, in the access of digital resources according to areas and sub-areas of a particular knowledge domain through a taxonomy classification. In this article, we focus in proposing a best practice for the search and access to relevant digital resources in repositories through visualization techniques. The article presents a prototype tool as one possible approach to facilitate searches and access to digital resources. Finally, we present the conclusions and future work in the field in order to improve access to relevant materials in digital repositories.Keywords: Visualization techniques, data visualization, user interfaces, repositories, digital resources. RESUMENEn la actualidad, los desafíos más notables asociados a los repositorios para resolver los problemas en la búsqueda de los recursos digitales, se enfocan en ofrecer un mayor entendimiento de la clasificación de los recursos digitales, de acuerdo a un esquema de representación de conocimiento y relación entre ellos. Sin embargo, una de las áreas con pocos estudios en este campo, es el estudio de interfaces visuales que proporcionen acceso a los materiales relevantes en repositorios digitales. Es necesario prestar mayor atención al acceso de los recursos digitales, teniendo en cuenta un conjunto de áreas y sub áreas de dominio del conocimiento especí-fico, a través de una clasificación taxonómica. En este artículo, nos enfocamos en plantear una propuesta de mejores prácticas para la búsqueda y acceso a recursos relevantes en repositorios digitales, a partir de técnicas de visualización. El artículo presenta un prototipo de herramienta como un posible enfoque para facilitar el acceso a los recursos digitales. Finalmente, se presentan las conclusiones y el trabajo futuro en el campo, con el fin de mejorar el acceso a materiales relevantes en repositorios digitales.Palabras clave: Técnicas de visualización, visualización de datos, interfaces de usuarios, repositorios y recursos digitales.

Exploring the Relevance of Search Engines: An Overview of Google as a Case Study

“…In the same way, it is proposed as a guide the use of open educational resources to conduct linking processes through technologies like Linked Data [7]. This way, the inter-operability of digital resources through semantic models that classify them may be used based on related knowledge fields, using information visualization and classification methods like the ones defined by [12]. For this, the use and classification of educative repositories by related topics is proposed, so that a web of repositories with academic content and specialized according to the needs of users using tools previously mentioned like Linked Data [40], categorization or agent systems, will be available to implant new methods of search based on specialized search engines.…”

“…Nowadays, the users face the need of finding more relevant academic resources for their necessities and their personal characteristics and cultural aspects based on suitable visual search interfaces [11][12][13]; nonetheless, locating resources in an infrastructure like Internet, that does not stop growing, is a complex activity. For this reason, there are strategies proposed to optimize location processes.…”

Model of Learning Objects Exchange between LCMS Platforms through Intelligent Agents1

“…Although there are similar studies in order to improve access to learning objects in repositories [37], [41], [42], and the use of the Web of Trust concept [34], [43] there are no studies related with the use of intelligent agents and the use of the Web of Trust in LCMS, such as Moodle and Efront. Notwithstanding the obtained results in the agent response time, it is important to clarify that aspects such as bandwidth connection, number of requests made to the server, and operational burden from other running applications on the server were not considered, elements that significantly affect the agent response time.…”

Issues of Visual Search Methods in Digital Repositories

“…Considering the differences and features of the knowledge representation schemes analysed by [29], as well as the approaches raised by [28] on knowledge representation schemes, Table I shows some of the most representative features provided by each of these knowledge representation schemes and which are focused on the development of digital repositories. According to previous studies made by [30,8], in the design of digital repositories, the most common instruments used to represent knowledge are: taxonomies, ontologies, thesauri, graphs, mind maps, among others. Fig.…”