Merging data culled from government sources and research organizations with a web‐based interactive map, Policy Map attempts to bring geographic information systems logic and visualization to data sets. The resource would be of interest to anyone studying policy or demographics, and the promise of an interactive visual aggregation of statistical data is an appealing one. The data sets provided are rich and transparently sourced; the data directory provides a full list of sources including the Census, Bureau of Labor, the CDC, the FBI, FEMA, EPA, HUD and M&T Bank among others. A detailed description of each source is provided. Data can be sorted by year, up until 2011.
The datasets provided by Policy Map are good choices and the idea to display this information visually using maps is a smart one. However, the interface is overcrowded to the point of being incoherent. The homepage is a map of the US. The fuzzy graphics resemble the estimated time of arrival maps on airplanes. Users can “add sites” to the map which will result in a smothering of orange triangles, diamonds, squares, or hybrid shapes representing federal housing, non‐profit locations, schools, libraries, foreclosure rates, grocery retail access and banking as well as information about health and the environment. Selecting just one of these “sites” will result in the map being submerged in orange, rendering it of little use. I selected three before the screen froze.
Above the map there are a number of “data layers” that users can add. These layers, each of which represents information from one of the data sets mentioned above, are divided into useful categories which are, in turn, divided into subcategories. Among the broad categories of data that you can apply to the map are real estate analysis, neighborhood conditions, lending activity, education, money and income, and demographics. Unfortunately, the graphics here too are visually incoherent. There is some clarity however, if you simply mouse over the map. A text box then appears providing information that is easy to read and useful.
In addition to the interactive map, Policy Map allows users to generate reports for a specific location, region, radius, or polygon. The reports available include; community profile, rental housing report, IRS tax report, HMDA report, home sale report, and a report generated by The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia that focuses on federal loans. Users can search by “senate” meaning, it seems, “senator”, “census tract” (meaning location by state, city and zip code), congressional, state and school district along with a few other options. The vocabulary here is, too, a little confusing.
Intending subscribers should note that discounts are available on the subscription price for students but not for non‐profits. Unfortunately, at this time, due to restrictions on some of the data included, access cannot be provided across a public library system network.
Policy Map provides useful data and has some real depth. Perhaps much of the confusion would be eased with a helpful FAQ page and navigation prompts. Unfortunately, these will not provide much clarity for users. Policy Map is interesting to browse, but the learning curve is too steep to make it worthwhile. For now, your best option is to subscribe to statistical databases provided by ProQuest.
