Design for Discovery: Enhancing the Usability of MAP-VERSE

 

Would you like to contribute to open science? Do you like UI/UX design? Are you maybe interested in user testing? 

MAP-VERSE (MAP Usability – Validated Empirical Research by Systematic Evaluation) metadata repository (https://map-verse.github.io/) was established by an international research initiative (https://map-verse.github.io/Repository/page/about/) that believes in open science. This platform provides researchers with structured access to best-practice datasets, specifically from eye tracking, neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI), and human sensing (EDA, cardiovascular activity, skin temperature) collected across various geospatial tasks in-lab, online, in virtual environments, or in real-world scenarios (see Keskin et al. 2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/agile-giss-6-30-2025).  

The BSc thesis will focus on the usability of the MAP-VERSE platform through: 

• User Interface (UI): adding new functionalities such as (but not limited to): 

• Enabling search by researcher names, research areas, or cartographic stimulus type 

• Visualizing links between studies using the same datasets or follow-up studies 

• User Experience (UX): usability testing with researchers via online questionnaires 

• Experimental design, data collection, and analysis of user studies 

 

The student is expected to improve the UI of the platform and gather insights on the UX, which could be further implemented. 

This research is planned to be co-supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vassilios Krassanakis from the University of West Attica, and (when necessary) in collaboration with Tong Qin and Bing He from the MAP-VERSE initiative. 

 

For more information: 
Contact: Dr. Merve Keskin, merve.keskin@plus.ac.at 
Start: As soon as possible 
Prerequisites/qualification: (not necessary but useful) familiarity with website creation on GitHub (e.g. Hugo), interest in empirical user testing  
Keywords: usability, website creation, metadata repository, open science 

Making Research Data Discoverable: Building MAP-VERSE’s Metadata Search Tools

 Would you like to contribute to open science? Do you like a bit of coding? Are you maybe interested in empirical studies? 

MAP-VERSE (MAP Usability – Validated Empirical Research by Systematic Evaluation) metadata repository (https://map-verse.github.io/) was established by an international research initiative (https://map-verse.github.io/Repository/page/about/) that believes in open science. This platform provides researchers with structured access to best-practice datasets, specifically from eye tracking, neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI), and human sensing (EDA, cardiovascular activity, skin temperature) collected across various geospatial tasks in-lab, online, in virtual environments, or in real-world scenarios (see Keskin et al. 2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/agile-giss-6-30-2025).  

The MSc thesis will focus on systematizing the data discovery functionality of MAP-VERSE by developing  

• Strategies for expanding dataset diversity (e.g. including studies using thematic maps, dashboards, mobile maps, etc.), and  
• Tools for relevant data collection such as API querying and, when necessary, web crawling on large open-access research data repositories (e.g., Harvard Dataverse, Zenodo, arXiv).  
• 
  

The student is expected to develop a metadata search and dataset validation tool to ensure metadata consistency and accuracy before inclusion in MAP-VERSE. 

This research is planned to be co-supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vassilios Krassanakis from the University of West Attica and (when necessary) in collaboration with Tong Qin and Bing He from the MAP-VERSE initiative.  

 

For more information: 
Contact: Dr. Merve Keskin, merve.keskin@plus.ac.at 
Start: As soon as possible 
Prerequisites/qualification: Python and HTML basics  
Keywords: knowledge discovery, development, metadata repository, open science 

Developing Calibration-Free Webcam Eye Tracking for Web Map Interaction

 How can we interact with web maps without using our hands? Can webcams replace traditional input devices and make map-based tools more inclusive? How can we estimate and refine a user’s gaze without a calibration phase? 

This MSc thesis will focus on developing a browser-based, calibration-free eye tracking system for hands-free web map interaction. The student will build a gaze-aware map prototype using open-source libraries (e.g., WebGazer.js) and apply statistical modeling (e.g., least squares) to continuously refine gaze accuracy without requiring a manual calibration phase. Key features such as gaze-based pan, zoom, and select interactions will be integrated and tested on a custom-built web map interface. 

The research contributes to digital accessibility for users with upper-limb impairments. The student will have the opportunity to contribute to a broader interdisciplinary initiative on inclusive cartographic design and collaborate with researchers in human-computer interaction, eye tracking, and web mapping. 

For more information: 
Contact: Dr. Merve Keskin, merve.keskin@plus.ac.at 
Start: As soon as possible 
Prerequisites/qualification: Basic experience with JavaScript, web development, or eye tracking libraries (e.g., WebGazer.js) is an advantage but not necessary. 
Keywords: Eye tracking, gaze-based interaction, web mapping, accessibility, user-centered design