Data Visualization with GIS Kate Dougherty, University of Arkansas Internet Librarian International October 16, 2013
Visualizing Data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Nov 11, 2014
Librarians in academic and research institutions are increasingly involved in the curation and visualization of data created by their organizations. This presentation, presented as part of a session on "The Data Librarian" at the Internet Librarian International 2013 conference, explored how information professionals can use open source GIS software to add value to data.
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Data Visualization with GIS
Kate Dougherty, University of ArkansasInternet Librarian International
October 16, 2013
What is GIS?
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer-based method for collecting, managing, analyzing, modeling, and presenting geographic or spatial data.
• Can overlay maps and datasets and query them in terms of their spatial relationships to each other.
Vector DataIndividual features:
– Points for cities – Roads – Boundaries
Raster DataContinuous or gridded data:
– Air photos– Satellite imagery– Scanned maps
What is GIS Used For?
• Identifying conservation areas • Vehicle routing• Siting new facilities• Market and demographic research• Much more!
Where does the data come from?
• Federal– Geo.data.gov– Many countries have a
central GIS portal
• State GIS portals
• Local (counties/cities)– Quality & availability of
local portals vary widely
• Educational institutions
• Non-profits
• Commercial sources
Types of GIS Software
“GIS Lite”
• Focus on display:
– Google Earth– Google Maps– BatchGeo– Many others
Professional
• Focus on analysis:
– Esri’s ArcGIS/ArcMap– Quantum GIS – GRASS– Others
Quantum GIS (QGIS)
• Open source professional-level software
– From the Open Source Geospatial Foundation
http://www.qgis.org/
Table of contents that shows & organizes the project’s layers. The “data frame” that displays the spatial data.
Click to add data
“Lightweight” Applications
• GeoCommons.com
• Google Maps/Google Fusion Tables
• BatchGeo.com
• Simply Map (subscription)
• Policy Map (subscription)
GeoCommons.com
• Platform for sharing and visualization of data through maps
• Open source
• Cloud-based
• Upload & map data(files up to 20 MB)
• Analyze data
• Use or combine with others’ data to create new maps
Description for field
Check to get summary statistics
Summary statistics for fields where we checked “Categorize”.
Analysis
Sample “GIS Lite” Projects for Libraries
http://www.visualcomplexity.com/vc/project_details.cfm?id=747&index=747&domain=#.Ua0SofwoZIY.twitter
Background: Geologic Map of County Clare, http://frackingfreeireland.org/info-to-download/maps/
Thank You!
Kate DoughertyGeosciences and Maps Librarian
University of [email protected]
Twitter: @kate_dougherty
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