As the end of two weeks of training, data collection, coding and preliminary analyses comes to an end, it’s time to share what the team has been up to. It’s been a busy time and some new insights are emerging from all of the first stage work.
Our first effort was to get the “Social Lab” organized and our amazing contact at UNDP Cabo Verde, Sandra Martins (a miracle worker) was able to find us a room with enough wall and desk space for the team to work. The empty meeting space was ideal for the research work.
The main task of the research team is to create a data base that can be shared with the Visuality design team as they create a dynamic platform to semi-automate the data integration and visualization process. That means the research team will be doing two jobs. One, is learning and using an XL spreadsheet and visual software to work with the Cabo Verde data and then, to learn and use the new platform.
For the last two weeks the team has been gathering data through field interviews and written materials and then placing that data on an XL spreadsheet. This spread sheet is the vital information that Vizzuality needs to design the new platform.
Once organized on the spreadsheet it can be visualized by using a number of visual software programs. The visual programs allow the data to be visualized on geographic maps (GIS), social networks maps, timelines and linguistic “word clouds”. The visuals allow for linkages and relationships that are not evidence in text format to be seen.
Clearly, the hand coding process, although very effective in pattern recognition, is time consuming and, if all goes well, this will be the last time that this step by step process will be speeded up.
Meanwhile, key informant interviews we conducted at a variety of sites, including the University of Cabo Verde’s, School of Agriculture and the Environment.
Where one of the key research team leads, Arlindo, is the Educational Coordinator.
