Developing Capabilities for the Visualization and Analysis of Qualitative Data within Geographic Information Systems

Understanding the dynamics of today’s operational environment requires collection and analysis of nontraditional, qualitative intelligence that current GIS options cannot support. To bridge quantitative GIS and these emerging qualitative sources, and apply it to arguably the most pressing operational situation, Securboration proposes to develop the Stability and Reconstruction GIS, or STARGIS. Securboration are experts in automating the extraction, storage, and geovisualization of qualitative data and using it to geoanalyze progress in stability related operations. To complement our technical expertise we are teaming with renowned geographer Dr. Meghan Cope, Chair of the Geography Department at the University of Vermont. Dr. Cope has performed seminal research in qualitative GIS that includes co-authoring the book Qualitative GIS: A Mixed Methods Approach (London: Sage Publications, 2009). As a supporting data set Securboration will leverage our ongoing related work from the Measuring Progress In Conflict Environments program (MPICE – Afghanistan 2010 Framework). MPICE defines a framework of qualitative and quantitative stability related goals, indicators, and measures, making it an ideal data set for STARGIS. Currently, the MPICE focus has been on metrics definition and corresponding data collection. STARGIS presents the opportunity and transition path to store, visualize, and analyze MPICE results using a qualitative GIS approach.