Kansei evaluation on web-based geographic information system: a Malaysian case analysis

Abstract

In the discipline of design science, the integration of cognitive, semantic and affective elements is crucial in the conception and development of designed products. Affective elements in IT artefacts have gain researchers interest, but little attention was given to Geographic Information System (GIS). This paper presents a research attempt to identify emotional response towards web-based GIS, and determine design influence to the emotion by applying Kansei Engineering (KE). The method involved ten selected web-based GIS specimen, 10 Kansei words as descriptors of emotional responses which was organized as a 5-point Semantic Differential (SD) scale to form a Kansei checklist. 50 participants were asked to rate their emotional responses toward the specimens into the Kansei checklist. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Factor Analysis, and Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis were used to enable the research to achieve its objectives. The research discovered that the semantic structure of Kansei that shaped by the response was spaciousness and intenseness, and the significant Kansei concepts are formal and eye-catching. The PLS analysis have assisted the research to understand the significant influence of design to Kansei responses. These results provide cues for designers to design future web-based GIS with embedded emotion.