Characterizing Machine Guidance in Geospatial Analysis

Geospatial analysis poses challenges for individuals with limited expertise in Geographic Information Science (GIScience) methods and tools, requiring complex decision-making and spatial reasoning, often leading to difficulties or even failures. This research explores machine guidance as a novel approach to support domain analysts throughout the geo-analytical process. This approach can be implemented as an intelligent interface agent that is capable of recognizing user’s analytical difficulties and providing proactive assistance. We propose a conceptual framework that characterizes the cooperative role of machine guidance in geospatial analysis. We focus on answering two key research questions: (1) when to guide? and (2) how to guide?. The framework provides a foundation for future research on machine-guided geospatial analysis, informing the development of other computer-aided systems that enhance usability and analytical effectiveness in GIScience.