Developing User-Friendly Search Tool for Superfund Research Program Website
The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) needed an intuitive, user-friendly web tool to quickly find SRP-funded research projects on specific topics.
The solution: MDB leveraged detailed SRP project data stored in the NIEHS Division of Extramural Research and Training Grant Coding System (GCDB). to design and build a faceted search tool that allows users to apply one or more filters (e.g., chemicals studied, health outcomes) to locate relevant SRP projects. MDB developed a strategy to import SRP project data from the GCDB, modify the data to map to plain-language filter terms on the search tool, and store the modified data in the SRP database. Our experience with scientific terms and categorization, as well as familiarity with the SRP data, were critical in creating this useful search tool.
The SRP website faceted search tool has provided an intuitive, simple way to search for and find information about SRP projects. It also has facilitated collaboration and information sharing among researchers with similar interests.
