Information Architecture Towards an Integrated Geoscience Information Environment: The Case of Geological Survey of Ethiopia
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Date
2015-06-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The speedy advancement of information technology and the following management of digital information have opened new road for capturing, managing and disseminating geoscience information. Geological surveys now capture data from field using digital technology; laboratory results are recorded automatically in digital form and geological maps which was formerly presented in paper form are now being represented in digital form using GIS and satellite imaging systems. Even if these advancements in the technology have brought producing better quality geoscience information in Ethiopia, the accessibility of geological and geology related information is not with the expectation of users of the information.
The main objective of this research is to investigate, design and validate information architecture towards establishing an integrated geoscience information management environment.
By taking Geological Survey of Ethiopia as an enterprise and using Zachman Framework an Integrated Geoscience Information Architecture was defined taking into consideration all the participants involved in the planning, conception, building, using and maintaining activities of geoscience information. Qualitative and Design Science Research methodologies were employed. The qualitative research was required to understand the practices around the management of geoscience information. Design Science research methodology is demanded to develop an Integrated Geoscience Information Architecture. Non probability purposive sampling technique was employed for sampling. Interview, direct observation and documents were used for data collection for this research. The analyzed collected data using interview showed that geoscience information management is not effective in Geological Survey of Ethiopia. This result was triangulated via observation. To give a solution for this problem, through extensive literature examination and interview an integrated geoscience information architecture was designed and proposed to be evaluated by the concerned experts of geoscience information and IT. They have approved that the architecture is sufficiently complete and relevant. The checklist was also used to evaluate the architecture and it was verified that the architecture was designed according to the accepted guideline of Design Science Research methodology.
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Geoscience Information Environment;Case of Geological Survey of Ethiopia