QVIZ - Query and context based visualization of time-spatial cultural dynamics
This project has created a collaborative time- and map-based environment for accessing digital archival resources. It allows searching archives without knowing the language of a record or the institution holding it, and can be enhanced through knowledge contributed by communities of practice.
- Project type: STREP (Specific Targeted Research Project)
- Start date: 1 May 2006
- Duration: 24 months
- EU funding: € 1 600 000
- Number of partners: 7
- Project coordinator: Umeå Universitet, Sveden
- Contact: Dr. Patrik Svensson
Many archives are working on digitising material in order to enhance access and preserve fragile content. However, the information that the archives hold is often complex, which impedes the possibilities for an effective and facilitated search.
Archival records and knowledge in communities of practice are commonly related to administrative units, such as parishes and municipalities. End users, however, are often not allowed to explore the material on this basis. Moreover, such access is complex because administrative units frequently change over time and archival systems rarely provide a rich time-space context. Most existing digital archives do not allow the user to add or bookmark information in the system. As the amount of digital material steadily increases, an easier way to conduct investigations of archives has become a necessity.
The QVIZ project started with the goal to bring users a single entry point to the archives of Europe. It was designed as a common starting point that allows browsing of the archival resources through time and space using a dynamic map or contextual categories. The map interface locates the resources without the user needing to know in which language the resource is kept or which institution holds the records. In addition, QVIZ provides an environment for collaborative knowledge building with social bookmarking for interested users.
During the first year of the project, activities focused on underlying research, constructing a technical framework, system requirements and specifications as well as prototype design. In the second year, the focus changed to integration of the different parts of the platform. Finally, QVIZ presented a third integrated prototype with fine-tuned the knowledge models and integral environments.
The QVIZ consortium consisted of seven partners from universities, archival institutions and companies from Sweden, Austria, Estonia, Spain and the UK.