Communicating National Science Foundation Science and Engineering Information to Data Users Letter Report (2011) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix B Workshop Summary
Appendix B Workshop Summary
Pages 13-28
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practices of NCSES for communicating and disseminating information in hard copy publication format as well as on the Internet through the NCSES website, and the WebCASPAR and SESTAT database retrieval systems; • consider the needs of significant data users; • evaluate the website design from the perspective of usability, including consideration of navigation aids, user-centered design techniques, and interactivity; • consider the impact on the ability of NCSES to improve communication and dissemination, given NSF website policy and governmentwide policies; • evaluate the impact of current governmentwide initiatives, such as data.gov, for retrieval of government statistics; and • consider new and emerging tools for retrieval and display of information, including using the semantic web for linking with other databases. The first section of this summary covers U.S.
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This review was asked to consider the needs of different types of users in NCSES's user community, current federal and NSF website guidance and policies, existing staff and contract resources, and broader governmentwide activities and initiatives. In her introductory remarks to the workshop, Carlson requested that the panel consider what NCSES might do differently in terms of publication types, online report formats, data access (online data tools and data files)
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data-sets: Public-Use Microdata Files NCSES takes pains to protect the data that are provided by individuals from disclosure. Thus, NCSES develops microdata files for release to the public in a format that will not permit identification of respondents.
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The panel had asked these data users to comment on the means used to obtain information on NSF S&E expenditure and human resource data; the comprehensiveness, quality, timeliness, or other aspects of the NSF publications and data release program; use of the website; use of the WebCASPAR and SESTAT databases; and the content, presentation, accessibility, and tools available for these databases. Office of Science and Technology Policy Representing the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
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Their overall view was that access to NSF-NCSES data tables and briefs is extremely helpful in STPI's support of OSTP and executive agencies. However, access to the data in a raw format -- including datasets underlying special tabulations related to publications, patents, and other complex data -- would better enable assessment of emerging fields.
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Similarly, the earliest SED data collected during the recession -- for July 1, 2008–June 30, 2009 -- were not scheduled to be released until November 2010 (note: the data release was subsequently delayed to allow for correction of data quality issues in race and ethnic data)
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It is a one-stop website for free access to data produced or held by the federal government, designed to make it easy to find, download, and use the data, including databases, data feeds, graphics, and other data visualizations. Vander Mallie reported that, at its inception in 2009, Data.gov consisted of 47 raw datasets and 27 tools to assist in accessing the data in some of the complex data stores.
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It will use the Data.gov statistical community as SCOPE's public interface and dissemination platform, store datasets on the Data.gov dataset hosting platform that is currently being developed, and harness Data.gov cloud computing power. In recognition of the fact that statistical data collected by federal statistical agencies often raise issues of complexity as well as of confidentiality and privacy, Bianchi said that SCOPE will aim to develop user-friendly data delivery and data display tools to address 508 compliant alternatives to tabular displays, develop displays of complex sample survey data while protecting confidential micro-data, and develop visualization tools for multifaceted statistical designs.
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DataWeb In his introduction to the discussion of the Census Bureau's DataWeb network, Cavan Capps, the chief of DataWeb applications, described the major tasks facing statistical agencies: how to present the right data with the right context to meet users' needs through effective data integration; how to ensure that the most recent and most correct data are displayed; and how to facilitate the efficient reuse of data for different purposes. In his presentation, he stated that the DataWeb network was one of three parts to the Census Bureau's approach to these challenges The other two are HotReports and DataFerrett.
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It is closed source and handles moderately sized databases. It extensively supports collaborative data manipulation in such functions as data linking, aggregation and filtering, and it has extensive mashup support, with Google RESTful and Java JSON API's for extraction and interrogation of datasets.
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The wiki approach was selected because EUROSTAT databases have a wide variety of users: one group is a particular challenge to serve -- the nonexpert data user. The agency has taken on the task of making the data more useful to this group by developing a dissemination aid called Statistics Explained.
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Statistics Canada User Outreach Although Statistics Canada uses many of the same dissemination practices and tools as are used by NCSES and other U.S. statistical agencies, Diane Fournier said it has contributed significantly to the enhancement of the dissemination experience by its sharp focus on data users and usability.
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, which directs statistical agencies to make information available to all in forms that are readily accessible. Brewer stated that Web 2.0 adds new opportunities for persons with disabilities, and that data visualization is a key to effective communication.
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techniques for new technologies, improved accessibility supports for cognitive disabilities, and more affordable assistive technologies. She said WAI would partner with agencies to ensure that dissemination tools are accessible.
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TABLE B-1 Areas for Improvement for American FactFinder Identified from Usability Studies Area for Improvement Goal Measure Homepage should be more Easier to absorb and assess Visual Elements visual to improve visitor through better balance of text expectations, reduce and visuals perceived complexity, and Use of images, color and improve the look and feel of negative space can help the site convey what to expect and make the page easier to digest Search should be presented in Prevents visitors from going Conventional Layout the best practice format as a through a multi-step process to text box directly on the perform a query homepage Search is less likely to be overlooked or to blend in with other links/options surrounding it Navigation options should Visitors don't have to search for Consistent Structure appear in the same location them or use their browser's throughout the site back button Should improve content Less scrolling gives visitors the Layering Information management and reduce impression that the scrolling by more effectively information is much easier to layering page information absorb Layering ensures more information is presented higher up on the page -- and avoids overwhelming visitors with too much content at once SOURCE: Data from presentation by Jeffrey Sisson, U.S. Census Bureau, at the Workshop on Communicating National Science Foundation Science and Engineering Information to Data Users, October 28, 2010.
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TABLE B-2 Publicly Available Systems for Online Numeric Data Sharing, Publishing, and Visualization Source Data Sharing Publishing Visualization Only Open Dataverse Network Prefuse Flare Processing ProtoVis Closed Data 360 Beyond 20/20 Google Vis AP Factual Collectica VisiFire Google fusion tables Nesstar Google sheets SDA Many Eyes Tableau Swivel Track-n-Graph Statplot SOURCE: Micah Altman, Data Dissemination: State of the Private Sector Practice, Workshop on Communicating National Science Foundation Science and Engineering Data to Users, October 28, 2010. Permission granted by author.
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