User Guide


Content

You can also download the information presented in the User Guide below here. If you don't find the answers you are looking for, you can also check the FAQ Section (.pdf version) or write to us using the form in the Contact Section.

Due to different definitions used in disaster-related literature, for the purpose of this Cultural Map the main terms used are defined below. The full Glossary is available in the Glossary Section or can also be downloaded in a .pdf format.


Introduction

The Cultural Map is one of the final results of the CARISMAND project and represents a structured framework of a knowledge base, but with an intuitive and dynamic front-end that follows the equally dynamic ‘nature’ of culture and its connections with other factors such as socio-economic and environmental factors.

The Cultural Map is composed of specific findings referring to at least one disaster phase, involved actor, hazard type or cultural factor. These are the core pillars around which the information within the Cultural Map is organized.

Each finding composing the Cultural Map (“Cultural Map entry”) has been assigned to at least one specific disaster stage, hazard type, actor and cultural factor.

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Search Options

The information provided in the Cultural Map is not organized around the three main categories of beneficiaries: policy makers, disaster managers, and citizens; as the Toolkit recommendations are. However, each cultural factor is linked to at least one hazard type, one disaster phase and one actor, creating a complex matrix of information.

Each user can review the pre-defined correlations between a cultural factor and the other three categories by using the Cultural Map Table View (for more information please check ‘Table View of Cultural Map entries’), where the rows reflect all possible subcategories of hazard types, disaster phases and actors, and the columns – all cultural factors included in the Map. Each ‘crossroad’ (a crossing point between a row and a column) of the matrix provides information of how many results are listed under each correlation (cultural factor – hazard type; cultural factor – disaster phase; or cultural factor – actor). The search results will be limited to all Cultural Map entries belonging to the selected correlation.

Each user can explore different combinations of hazards, disaster phases, actors and cultural factors by using the Filter menu on the left side of the screen. The search results will be limited to all Cultural Map entries belonging to the combination of selected categories (see the figure below).

If a user is not sure what they are looking for they can also use the using key words. The result will show all sub-pages that includes the respective key words the user is looking for.

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Search Results

Each search result provides a list of entries linked to the categories – part of the tailored or pre-defined searches. The initial result list shows only the ‘bio’ of the entry – the title and the correlations to the four Cultural Map pillars.


Each entry can be reviewed in details (using the ‘Details’ Button) or downloaded as file in a PDF format for further use as a local resource (using the ‘Download as PDF’ Button).


If a user wants to download more than one entry at a time, they can use the Select option at the left corner of the ‘bio’, followed by clicking on ‘Download selected as ZIP’ Button. This way the user can select as many entries as they want. There are also the ‘Select All’ or ‘Select None’, located at the top of the search result, to further ease the user. The ‘Download selected as ZIP’ Button also support the user by showing the number of selected entries for download (Example: ‘Download selected as ZIP (1)’).


Once a user click on the ‘Details’ Button go familiarize themselves with the full content of a certain entry, the entry is shown in ‘full view’:

Entry’s body;

Categories of cultural factors, hazards, disaster phases, and type of actors concerned, the entry is linked to;

All Toolkit recommendations applicable to the entry (if applicable);

Sources of information on which the entry is based upon – the link leads to a specific page of a CARISMAND deliverable (if this browser option is not applicable, the browser initiate the downloading of the document and the user should check the entry for further guidelines on the page number).


Again, in ‘full view’ the user has the option to download the entry in a file in PDF format (using the ‘Download as PDF’ Button).

Also, the option of grading the usefulness of the entry is available. However, if the user would like to comment on specific aspects or further discuss the entry with the CARISMAND Team, they should use the Contact Section to get in touch with us.

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List View of Cultural Map Entries

The ‘List View’ Button is located just above the Filter menu, on the left side of the screen. It provide the user with a quick way to list of all Cultural Map entries.

It could be used as a starting point for a tailored search; or as an exit from a tailored search (clearing the filter of all previously selected categories).

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Table View of Cultural Map Entries

The ‘Table View’ Button is located just above the Filter menu, on the left side of the screen. It provide the user with a quick way to list all Cultural Map correlations between the Cultural Map categories: cultural factor – hazard type; cultural factor – disaster phase; or cultural factor – actor.


Each cross-reference (a crossing point between a row and a column) in the matrix provides information of how many results are listed under each correlation. For example, if the user is interested in the correlation between cultural factor ‘livelihoods’ and actor ‘government’, they would find there are exactly 26 correlations with respect of the present state of play of the Cultural Map.

Each of the ‘blue dots’ with a number inside is a button leading to a predefined search list – in this particular example: to all Cultural Map entries where there is a connection between the cultural factor ‘livelihoods’ and the actor ‘government’.

If the user click on the ‘blue dot’ button, it will lead them to a list view with already applied tailored search.


Due to the size of the table, it is often difficult to follow all columns and rows at one at the same time. For this purpose, a just-in-time message shows the user guidelines every time the user move the mouse over a cross-reference of Cultural Map categories (for example, ‘Click to follow cross-references between: Livelihoods & Red Cross’).

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Personalizing the Cultural Map

The Cultural Map is developed as a platform with a personalized component, i.e. the Private Area of the Cultural Map. The personalized version of the database is accessible only to the respective registered user. Other users have no access to the registered user’s developments.

Each user could register in the platform and create a personalized version of the database by adding new Cultural Map entries. At the same time they also see all CARISMAND Cultural Map entries and may use if needed.

Once a user register, they could further edit their profile.


The user could develop the Cultural Map in several ways:

New entries could be added via ‘+Add Entry’ button following the original entry template (the Cultural Map administrator may use the full functionality of the platform to structure and present entries; however, a registered user is limited to a simplified template based on the CARISMAND team overall experience);


New entries could also be added by copying (and revising) existing CARISMAND Cultural Map entries;


Users’ entries may be edited or deleted at any time by the respective registered user.


This way, the registered user could continue to develop independently and dynamically the database by including new entries based on his/her own experience. All registered user’s entries are explicitly marked as such, including in the Table View (as ‘orange dots’). Same Table View functionality applies as listed above.

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