A Qualitative Methodology for the Design of Visual Analytic Tools for Emergency Operation Centers

In this article, we present a qualitative methodology for design research in the domain of visual analytics for emergency management. This specific methodology is characterized by using non-participant observation and interviews as methods and by being theoretically informed by the multidisciplinary framework of visual analytics. The methodology collects data about: (1) workflow, (2) informational environment, and (3) information practices and flows. Our main argument is that this methodology addresses a current gap in visual analytics, which lacks user-centered methodological approaches for design and evaluation research.