Analytically Yours: Spatial Data Analysis (original) (raw)

Mapping Data, Geographic Information Systems

New Directions for Evaluation, 2013

This chapter offers an introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) and provides examples of how this approach to data visualization can help evaluators better understand the context in which they are working, conduct a deeper analysis of the data, and communicate using maps to illustrate important findings and patterns. The chapter also discusses the limitations of this approach and offers suggestions for those interested in integrating GIS in their evaluation practice. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association. G eographic information systems (GIS) is a method of linking quantitative or qualitative data to geographic markers and locations (Chang, 2007; Renger, Cimetta, Pettrgrove, & Rogan, 2002). This ability allows evaluators to create maps that combine program information with geographic characteristics that surround them. So why is GIS a potentially important visualization approach? The best way to illustrate its relevance is through an example of a study that utilized GIS to map the locations of tobacco billboards in the

Visual Analysis of Time and Location Dependent Data on the Maps

2012

Data are numerical or non-numerical set of research results obtained from various observations by a researcher. Data analysis is the process of collecting, modeling and transforming to another form. Application of statistical methods and techniques in data analysis was a very time consuming process in a period when the computers and software were not in our lives. Today, with the widespread use of computer, the innovations occurring in this area allow the process of data analysis to be made easier.

CARTOGRAPHY

Objectives  to introduce students to the basic concepts, models, theories and techniques in modern map-making so as to sharpen their interpretative and analytical powers when acquiring information from maps;

Visualization of Complex Statistical Information in Maps

The checkerplot is a new type of graphics that combines geographical information and plots. Hereby, traditional plots like barplots or polygon lines are visualized in geographical order on a grid. The checkerplots can be seen as a mixture between thematic maps and the grid-representation in trellis plots.

Visualizing geo-spatial data in science, technology and innovation

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

Available online xxxx This paper provides a range of alternatives for analysts when dealing with geo-spatial data addressing activities in science, technology and innovation. There are two sets of theory which frame the debate concerning science, technology and innovation, and which drive further methodological advancements. The power of a good visualization in providing insight to decision-makers is well known. Visualizations complete a full cycle of decision-making involving analysis, design, action and then further monitoring. We advance the paper by assessing available geographic information in science and technology databases. The paper then systematically outlines current best practices and alternatives for visualizing geographic data. Different geographic map options provide different possibilities for the display of data. We show some of these options in the paper. Future research is needed into both the available tools and techniques, as well as a more in depth specificatio...

6. Geographic Visualization

Geographic visualizations always played an important role in human history, especially in the earth sciences, long before computer visualizations became popular. The earliest examples of geographic visualization even date back to the stone age with map-like wall paintings depicting the surroundings of our ancestors. Since then cartography, the art and science of map-making, has evolved continuously until today. This is why computer-based geographic visualization can build upon a large base of established cartographic knowledge. Well-known examples of static visualizations beyond geographic maps are thematic maps that display the spatial pattern of a theme such as climate characteristics or population density. Moreover, the use of modern visualization technology offers many new possibilities for geographical visualization tasks. These visualizations may help to explore, understand, and communicate spatial phenomena. Many readers will have a vague idea of what geographic visualization is about. Nonetheless, to avoid misconceptions, the most common definitions of the term geovisualization (short for geographic visualization) will be given. The following notion according to the 2001 research agenda of the International Cartographic Association (ICA) Commission on Visualization and Virtual Environments is most widely accepted today: " Geovisualization integrates approaches from visu-alization in scientific computing (ViSC), cartography, image analysis, information visualization, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and geographic information systems (GISystems) to provide theory, methods and tools for visual exploration, analysis, synthesis, and presentation of geospatial data " [530]. Others take a more human-centered view and describe geovisualization as " the creation and use of visual representations to facilitate thinking, understanding, and knowledge construction about geospatial data " [515] or as " the use of visual geospatial displays to explore data and through that exploration to generate hypotheses, develop problem solutions and construct knowledge " [474]. There are a few immediate observations from these definitions. It is clear that geovisualization research is a multidisciplinary task. Since it is the human who uses visualizations to explore data and construct knowledge, effective geovisualization techniques must above all take the user needs into account. The chapter is structured as follows. First, the range of possible goals of geovisualization and its driving forces are described in Section 6.1 and 6.2, respectively. Then, Section 6.3 looks at some perceptual issues and theoretical results in geovisualization. The main part of the survey, Section 6.4, covers a va