GE 3128: Geographical Research Methods

Mr. Idrissa Y. H.Assistant Lecturer In GeographyDepartment of Social SciencesState University of Zanzibar

Friday22nd , 2016

GIS, SPATIAL DATA AND GEGORAPHICAL RESERCH

SOCIAL SURVEY METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY

SPATIAL DATA AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHICAL STUDIES

•The use of different types of maps•The use of satellite imagery (remote sensing acquired data)•Photos interpretation•Other secondary data (Census data)

Introduction to GIS and Spatial Data

• Geographic information systems are systems designed to input, store, edit, retrieve, analyze, and output geographic data and information (DeMers 2005 in Demers, 2011).

• Geographical Information Science (GIS) involves computer-based systems which allow you to explore, store and manipulate data that has a spatial or geographic component.

• Department of the Environment (1987, p. 132) defines GIS as "a system for capturing, storing, checking, manipulating, analyzing, and displaying data which are spatially referenced to the Earth."

• Parker (1989; p. 1547) defines GIS as" an information technology which stores, analyses, and displays both spatial and non-spatial data."

Introduction to GIS and Spatial Data

• Spatial data on other hand are data which have geographic reference:-

• Basic forms that spatial terms can take are:-– Size and scale– Shape and dimension– Distance– Speed (movement)– Direction (angle)– Containment and adjacency– Location and distribution

Purposes and Functions of GIS• The primary task of GIS is to analyze spatially referenced

data and output. Through this, GIS can do the following:-1) Organize geographic data within appropriate referencing systems;2) Selectively query those data and aggrigate them for easy

understanding;3) Count and measures both individual objects and collections of

objects.4) Classify and reclassify objects based on user specified properties;5) Overlay related thematic map data, and ultimately6) Be able to combine these individual techniques into ordered

sequences of operations designed to stimulate some natural or anthropogenic activities for decision making.

General Application of GIS• GIS primary purpose is the organization and analysis of

spatially referenced (geographic) data.• GIS also is used to solve real-world problems and to provide

long-term return on investment.• Some general areas of endeavor for which GIS is useful

include:-– Natural resource management;– City, regional, environmental planning;– Transportation planning;– Crime analysis;– Emergency services;– Site selection etc.

GIS as Geographical Research Tool

• Research in geography, both physical and human geography can benefit in many ways in the use of GIS. The follow are few ways:-a) A GIS is a system which can be used to perform empirical

analysis and therefore can assist in the development of spatial theory, the ultimate goal of geographical research.

b) GIS itself is indispensible tools in transforming of spatial data such as satellite imagery, and maps through digitization to help in various analysis e.g. Change in landscape, ecosystems, can be spatially studied and analyzed using GIS.

GIS as Geographical Research Tool

c) GIS system is often is used a tool through which various data found in many forms can be combined together and used as single database; for instance, by integrating census data with spatial reference, by using maps, more a new data based will be generate. For researcher this is to increase the power of analysis.

d) As in most of cases, geographical research involves spatially referenced information as their output, e.g. maps, layouts, GIS becomes useful for its high presentation and displaying capability.

e) Where research aim is to model the behavior of geographical phenomena, given some criteria, a researcher could use GIS as a modeling tool.

Spatial Data and Geographical Research

• Geography is a spatial study. As such nearly all data or information are in one way or another spatially related.

• Spatial data, such as maps, aerial photographs, and satellite images are often principal sources of information, which geographical researchers interested on.

• Spatial analysis can be incorporated in a research, to provide multiple dimensions of a research. This analysis, partly relies on the availability of spatial data. E.g. through existing maps on vulnerabilities, a study on household food insecurity could generate a map showing how household are distributed.

• NB: Spatial analysis can be done with the aid of or without GIS.

Sources and Use of various Spatial Data and Geographical

Research• Satellite Imagery:– The data based on satellite images are acquired through

satellites and can be used in geographical research of many types:-• They are good at depicting changes in geographical

phenomenon e.g. changes in forest cover. So spatial analysis is possible.• Also satellite images can describe the state of the art of

various aspects such as pollution of the water or beaches, the weather of the local areas. For a geographical researcher this is very important as one of the principal objective of the geographical research is to describe.

Sources and Use of various Spatial Data in Geographical

Research• Aerial Photos: Most of the uses of satellite imagery can also be applied to aerial photos.

–Compared to satellite imagery, these are relatively less expensive to produce and acquire them. Yet, these aerial photos may have low resolution compared to satellite imagery, and are limited in terms of their coverage;–In most of the areas, they provide a vey good source of

the past development of various geographical systems;»A study interested in studying changes of the

landscape over time would gain a lot in terms of information if applies the past and current aerial photos.

Sources and Use of various Spatial Data in Geographical

Research• Maps:• Maps of different types especially topographical maps contain

huge information for which can be useful to geographical research, depending on the nature of the study;– One can use maps to perform spatial analysis;–Maps by the aid of GIS can be transformed into readily

available layers, for which further spatial analysis such as suitability of land, location analysis can be done;

– For displaying and presentation purposes, many researches in geography use maps e.g. choropleth maps; flow maps as in the studies of movement of goods between different cities e.g. Zanzibar and Dar .

Points of Consideration• In integrated research methods in geography, these

methods are used in conjunction with other methods to acquire the data (data collection) and use of the data through data analysis and interpretation (presentation).

• Application and use of GIS and spatial data in geographical research is wide;

• The extent to which these tools and database are used depends on the skills of the user, the objectives of the study, the availability of spatial data (satellite images, aerial photos, maps etc.) and GIS technology requirements;