Query previews for networked information systems: a case study with NASA environmental data

Formulating queries on networked information systemsis laden with problems: data diversity, data complexity,
network growth, varied user base, and slow network
access. This paper proposes a new approach to a
network query user interface which consists of two
phases: query preview and query refinement. This new
approach is based on dynamic queries and tight coupling,
guiding users to rapidly and dynamically eliminate
undesired items, reduce the data volume to a manageable
size, and refine queries locally before submission over a
network. A two-phase dynamic query system for
NASA’s Earth Observing Systems--Data Information
Systems (EOSDIS) is presented. The prototype was well
received by the team of scientists who evaluated the
interface.