Presentation of information for spatial decision support A survey on the use of maps by participants in quantitative water management in the IJsselmeer region, The Netherlands

Spatial decision support systems generate a diversity of information presented in tables, graphs, text and maps. Which form is used is dictated partially by the nature of the information but also by those who prepare information to be used in a decision-making process. The users of the information do not necessarily have the same preference for the way the information is presented. A survey has been conducted amongst stakeholders in a decision-making process to see what their preferences are. The purpose of the survey was to gain insight into the ability of stakeholders to use information presented at different levels of detail when comparing alternatives. This paper reports on the survey's results. Possible relations between level of detail, the ease of use of information, confidence in correctness and value of the information are presented. The results show that maps and graphs are preferred above tables and text. A high preference for maps is, however, not a measure of the ability to use maps. In addition, the results show that even though the ability to use the information increased with decreasing level of detail, detailed information is found more valuable. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.