Accessibility and data mining maximises survey research potential

Abstract

Executive Summary Project Title Accessibility and Data Mining maximises Survey Research potential Motivating Problem This research project comprised an investigation of the process of designing and developing a generic survey research tool with an accessible user interface that will collect data for data mining. Survey Research is a very specific method of collecting data. Accessibility (web accessibility and assistive technologies) is a core issue in ensuring a more inclusive and complete view of the user population being surveyed. A learning preferences assessment model was selected as a specific implementation/test case to illustrate proof of concept and to meet an existing college need. This specific implementation is currently in the form o f a paper based assessment and when completed identifies personal preferences and difficulties for learning, to enable the student to be more successful in education. The individual is not limited by their preferences, but understanding them may help them be more productive and effective as a student. It is foreseen that the collective inputs integrate into a data mining tool, to produce results, which may inform college policy and decision making. Aim of Research The project’s overall aim is to investigate the issues involved in designing a generic survey research tool in accordance with the following criteria: ■ implements a learning preference assessment ■ with an appropriate accessible user interface ■ that will collect the data for data mining. Research Questions 1. How can the design of an accessible system address the problems of Survey Research data? 2. What are the optimal data mining considerations during the design of the survey framework (incorporating both structured and unstructured data)? Research Hypothesis The specific Survey Research implementation is a learning preferences assessment tool for the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown. It is critical that the survey is accessible; accessible in terms of survey content, assistive technologies and user friendly interface. The survey content needs to be configurable and the survey content dynamically populated from a database while also storing student responses. Data mining is very specific in the forms of data being presented as input to the data mining tool for analysis. The data mining algorithms usually dictate structured numeric fields; however, a Survey Research may contain structured and unstructured data. How can unstructured data be incorporated? Therefore, this project will determine the key issues involved in designing a generic system which is accessible to most users to gather specific data which will later be analysed by data mining.