Beyond Conflicting Beyond Conflicting Portrayals to Facts in Portrayals to Facts in

Time and SpaceTime and SpaceRobert Haug, Ann Larimore,Robert Haug, Ann Larimore,

and Sandra Arlinghausand Sandra ArlinghausUniversity of MichiganUniversity of Michigan

SSHA Conference, Nov. 13, 2003SSHA Conference, Nov. 13, 2003

PurposesPurposes

► Provide a web-based methodology for moving Provide a web-based methodology for moving beyond impasses in conflicts.beyond impasses in conflicts.

► Analyze the dynamics of a developing conflict.Analyze the dynamics of a developing conflict.► Quickly access significant information through Quickly access significant information through

linkages between source documents.linkages between source documents.► Ascertain communalities and differences in stakeholder groups’ accounts, Ascertain communalities and differences in stakeholder groups’ accounts,

as well as gaps, discrepancies, ambiguities, and uncertainties in the data.as well as gaps, discrepancies, ambiguities, and uncertainties in the data.

► Provide the framework of a digital archiving program.Provide the framework of a digital archiving program.

► Automation of existing “pen and paper” methodology.Automation of existing “pen and paper” methodology.

► Can be applied to numerous case studies.Can be applied to numerous case studies.

DocuMapDocuMap► Allow users to search a digital collection of primary source Allow users to search a digital collection of primary source

documents through events, players, time, and location.documents through events, players, time, and location.

► Create a web-like network around each document based on each set of attributes.Create a web-like network around each document based on each set of attributes.

► Search across multiple scales of both time and space.Search across multiple scales of both time and space.

Purchase of 30 gallons of wine and 6 iron bound kegs, Meriwether Lewis and David Jackson, June 1, 1803, Philadelphia, PA.Document taken from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Web Site.

DesignDesign► Three major interlinked components:Three major interlinked components:

A database storing scans of primary source A database storing scans of primary source documents and attributes of the documentsdocuments and attributes of the documents

An interactive GIS of locations and areas related An interactive GIS of locations and areas related to the documentsto the documents

A calibrated time-line visible at multiple scalesA calibrated time-line visible at multiple scales

► A fourth component derived from the other three:A fourth component derived from the other three: A master narrative drawn from the primary A master narrative drawn from the primary

source documents and organized around source documents and organized around attribute data.attribute data.

Design, cont.:Design, cont.:

► Interface residing on a public web site.Interface residing on a public web site.

► The general public can search the archives, view The general public can search the archives, view documents, and perform analysis on the documents.documents, and perform analysis on the documents.

► Users may be granted permission to upload documents Users may be granted permission to upload documents with the necessary metadata and attribute data.with the necessary metadata and attribute data.

► Initially focused on handling a single case study.Initially focused on handling a single case study.► Ability to link between documents within case study also gives ability to link Ability to link between documents within case study also gives ability to link

between seemingly unrelated documents from numerous case studies.between seemingly unrelated documents from numerous case studies.

Difficulties in ImplementingDifficulties in Implementing

► Permanency: Potential to be in a constant state of Permanency: Potential to be in a constant state of change.change.

► Monitoring the potentially constant upload of data.Monitoring the potentially constant upload of data. Protection against the insertion of faulty or falsified documents.Protection against the insertion of faulty or falsified documents. Protection against the insertion of faulty or falsified metadata or attribute data.Protection against the insertion of faulty or falsified metadata or attribute data. Hackers looking to sabotage the project.Hackers looking to sabotage the project. Parties with a politically/emotionally motivated plan to distort the narrative.Parties with a politically/emotionally motivated plan to distort the narrative.

► Displaying documents without any kind of historical Displaying documents without any kind of historical context.context.

Possible Solutions for Case Study Possible Solutions for Case Study UseUse► Maintain the format of the shell.Maintain the format of the shell.► Alter the user privileges.Alter the user privileges.► Search and basic analysis functions open to the Search and basic analysis functions open to the

public.public.► Data entry performed quarterly by small (5-7 Data entry performed quarterly by small (5-7

person) collaborative case study teams.person) collaborative case study teams.

Three Month IterationsThree Month Iterations► First Month: Data collection, case study team brings First Month: Data collection, case study team brings

forward any documents they would like to include.forward any documents they would like to include.

► Second Month: The insertion of all metadata and attribute data into the Second Month: The insertion of all metadata and attribute data into the master database and the creation of accompanying base maps for the GIS master database and the creation of accompanying base maps for the GIS component and calibrated time-lines.component and calibrated time-lines.

► Third Month: Case study team collaborates in Third Month: Case study team collaborates in writing a master narrative.writing a master narrative.

Stipulations for ContributorsStipulations for Contributors► Provide primary source documents ready to be scanned Provide primary source documents ready to be scanned

into a digital format.into a digital format.► Documentation for each document, both metadata and attribute data about Documentation for each document, both metadata and attribute data about

events, players, time, and location related to the document.events, players, time, and location related to the document.

► Provide a paragraph or two describing each document, including an explanation of the Provide a paragraph or two describing each document, including an explanation of the author, the conditions under which the document was produced, its audience, and the author, the conditions under which the document was produced, its audience, and the reason for its creation.reason for its creation.

► Participate in the writing of the master narrative for their Participate in the writing of the master narrative for their case study.case study.

Stipulations for Case Study Stipulations for Case Study TeamsTeams► Host case study web site linked to central DocuMap repository including:Host case study web site linked to central DocuMap repository including:

Searchable repository of documents used in specific case study.Searchable repository of documents used in specific case study. Interactive GIS of case study area.Interactive GIS of case study area. Calibrated time-lines.Calibrated time-lines. Master narrative.Master narrative.