This study assessed the accuracy of spatial data collected through a simplified PPGIS tool that uses circles as the sole input method to mark points and areas on a map. A survey of 59 participants completed mapping exercises to locate buildings, parks, and geographic regions.
Results showed participants successfully marked point locations with 90% accuracy and area locations with 95% accuracy. Areas typically exceeded target size by a factor of 1.5 when boundaries were visible on the basemap. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between map zoom level and data accuracy. Users entering data with phones also had higher error rates approaching statistical significance.
These findings validate the simplified PPGIS approach for collecting reliable spatial data with minimal participant training, while suggesting interface improvements like enforcing minimum zoom levels for data entry to enhance accuracy.
