BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//pretalx//talks.staging.osgeo.org//foss4g-europe-2025//speaker//WD
 9TGQ
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:CET
BEGIN:STANDARD
DTSTART:20001029T040000
RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=-1SU;BYMONTH=10
TZNAME:CET
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
DTSTART:20000326T030000
RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=-1SU;BYMONTH=3
TZNAME:CEST
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
END:DAYLIGHT
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:pretalx-foss4g-europe-2025-VWZ8A7@talks.staging.osgeo.org
DTSTART;TZID=CET:20250716T140000
DTEND;TZID=CET:20250716T143000
DESCRIPTION:Citizen science has become a powerful approach for engaging the
  public in scientific research\, particularly in environmental monitoring 
 [1]. Activities such as tracking air quality\, mapping biodiversity\, and 
 assessing water quality benefit significantly from citizens going outdoors
  to collect data. In this regard\, geospatial tools are essential for ensu
 ring precise and efficient data collection [2]. Beyond data collection\, g
 eospatial tools also enable effective data visualization and exploratory d
 ata analysis\, allowing users to overlay different datasets\, revealing sp
 atial relationships and trends that may not be immediately apparent. This 
 analytical capability empowers citizens to help generate meaningful insigh
 ts and support evidence-based policies together with researchers and polic
 ymakers [3].\n\nHowever\, one of the main challenges in such activities is
  making spatial analysis functions easily accessible to non-experts. Many 
 GIS software programs offer powerful features that can support citizen sci
 ence by allowing users to explore real-world datasets and analyze spatial 
 relationships. But\, non-technical users with limited exposure to geospati
 al software often struggle with complex interfaces and the technical natur
 e of these tools. This is especially the case for elders and young student
 s\, who may have limited data literacy or experience with data analysis me
 thods. Tasks like accessing and managing datasets\, performing spatial ana
 lyses\, and visualizing results typically require specialized training and
  guidance due to the steep learning curves of default user interfaces. Cas
 e studies have demonstrated that more accessible interfaces can enable pre
 viously underserved groups to participate more actively in citizen science
  activities [4]. Therefore\, developing intuitive and simple interfaces fo
 r core GIS functions can lower barriers to spatial data exploration and in
 crease participation from such groups in geo-citizen science initiatives.\
 n\nTo reduce this barrier\, we developed a simplified user interface for Q
 GIS\, the most widely used free and open GIS software\, tailored to the sp
 ecific needs of non-technical users with a focus on citizen science. To ac
 hieve this\, we began by evaluating all QGIS components and features in de
 tail\, considering both functionality and complexity. Based on this assess
 ment\, non-essential and duplicate components were removed\, and complex f
 eatures were replaced with simpler alternatives. We also simplified data v
 isualization and processing functionalities to hide technical complexities
 . Advanced feature groups such as SQL\, Z/M\, TIN\, mesh\, tile\, curve\, 
 GPS\, GRASS\, and PDAL were hidden from the user. The remaining essential 
 components were reorganized to streamline typical workflows and improve ac
 cess to frequently used features. The processing toolbox and menus were re
 moved\, and all necessary items were made available as tool buttons. The n
 umber of toolbars was reduced to two - one for core functions and another 
 for editing. Common functions\, such as zooming and selecting\, were group
 ed and made available through dropdown tool buttons to create a compact ye
 t efficient interface. Only the overview and layer panels are made visible
  by default\, with others appearing only when needed. The locations of all
  components are fixed to ensure a consistent user experience\, particularl
 y during training for non-technical users. Lastly\, additional features we
 re added to enhance the user experience. Plot functions were replaced with
  DataPlotly\, allowing users to easily change plotting options and access 
 plots directly. Common base maps were made available through QuickMapServi
 ces\, providing a wide variety of base maps that can be added as layers ef
 fortlessly.\n\nTo provide access to the streamlined user interface and all
 ow users to easily switch between interfaces\, QGIS Light was developed as
  a QGIS plug-in. The plug-in utilizes customization options available in Q
 GIS and\, when necessary\, interacts directly with the user interface fram
 ework (Qt) to enable advanced customizations not natively supported by QGI
 S. Users can easily adjust the applied simplifications by editing a config
 uration file to disable specific simplifications or enable new ones. The p
 lug-in is available on the QGIS plug-in repository\, making it easy to ins
 tall through the QGIS plug-in manager. The source code is open access unde
 r the GPL 3.0 license [5]\, and the open-source code repository is hosted 
 on GitHub to facilitate collaboration (https://github.com/ITC-CRIB/qgis-li
 ght).\n\nIn this paper\, we share our experience in implementing a practic
 al and intuitive user interface for a powerful FOSS GIS application (QGIS)
  that can be learned and used quickly without prior technical knowledge. W
 e discuss the design process aimed at simplifying the user interface by de
 scribing the user stories that guided this effort (e.g.\, "As a user\, I w
 ant to work with a single map at a time") and explain how these stories we
 re translated into user interface modifications (e.g.\, disabling multiple
  map views). Additionally\, we share the details of the usability assessme
 nt study of a long list of QGIS components and features. During this study
 \, we identified several issues that hindered a better user experience\, s
 uch as inconsistent terminology\, similar tools with different parameter s
 ets\, tools with almost identical names performing different tasks\, and t
 ools that could be integrated into others. Our findings suggest that criti
 cally reviewing existing user interface elements and streamlining them int
 o a more refined and standardized experience could improve usability in QG
 IS. This approach could also inform simplification efforts in other GIS so
 ftware. The paper will also present the details of these identified issues
 . \n\nIn conclusion\, the primary goal of QGIS Light is to provide a simpl
 ified entry point for non-technical individuals to engage in spatial data 
 analysis. While non-technical people are often involved in data collection
  part of citizen science activities through specialized applications\, the
 y are typically excluded from data analysis and evaluation\, which is usua
 lly handled by experts. By offering a simplified GIS interface\, we can ma
 ke spatial analysis more accessible to such people without sacrificing the
  software's powerful capabilities. This approach can serve as a stepping s
 tone\, allowing users to gradually transition to the standard GIS interfac
 e and advanced features\, fostering GIS community growth besides participa
 tion in citizen science activities. In fact\, a simple interface might be 
 useful for anybody that requires core data visualization\, editing\, and a
 nalysis functionality\, and can facilitate education\, capacity developmen
 t\, and even professional activities.
DTSTAMP:20260527T015043Z
LOCATION:PA01 (Quarticle)
SUMMARY:A streamlined GIS interface for Citizen Science activities: QGIS Li
 ght - Serkan Girgin
URL:https://talks.staging.osgeo.org/foss4g-europe-2025/talk/VWZ8A7/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR