How mapping media may enable Knowledge Federation: The Domain Map Prototype

Abstract

This thesis describes the design of a domain map prototype, which serves as a means of tackling wicked problems from the perspective of knowledge federation. This is to cre-ate a new way of problem-solving in a time of information glut. The domain map proto-type is rooted in the vision of an open-hyperdocuments-system (OHS) by Douglas C. Engelbart, continuing his unfinished revolution by building on his prototype of a Dy-namic Knowledge Repository (DKR). As part of the knowledge federation initiative, the prototype serves as a tool towards a paradigm shift within knowledge work. This means changing how information is presented and allow for new ways of interacting with knowledge work through models and graphical notations. This with the goal of solving wicked problems such as global warming and education systems. The approach taken to design the domain map prototype was directly linked to the de-velopment of the knowledge federation website. Building the website was the first step towards launching knowledge federation, the second step is the design of the prototype. The information and structure form the website was used to inform the design of test models developed inside the debate graph application using the IBIS notation and other knowledge mapping techniques as a foundation. The test models which were made cre-ated the basis for developing the grammar and visual identity of the debate graph proto-type and to identify necessary features. The domain map prototype consists of three main elements as described in this thesis. Each element tackles an obstacle that comes with mapping complex issues. The first el-ement is the structure of the map. The structure is focused on the use of tags as a means of organizing information. It does this by building on specifications of an OHS. The second part if the grammar which consists of the node objects which make up the do-main map and the connections which contextualize the objects in relation to other data. The third element is the integration of the value matrix prototype as a means of estab-lishing a rating system to better organize the information of the map. The value matrix is rooted in a QRI-model to derive the measure of a contribution. The design of the domain map prototype results in creating a base language for an appli-cation to be built on, as well as highlighting new areas of study to continue the devel-opment of a domain map application. It serves to federate the need for a knowledge mapping tool and as an invitation to collaborate and create new knowledge work.