WHAT IS MADGIC? MADGIC is… MAPS and ATLASES DATA (NUMERIC and GEOSPATIAL) for use with special software GOVERNMENT INFORMATION (parliamentary and other official reports, statistics, etc.) … a CENTRE offering Expert Assistance @ Your Library
Jan 16, 2015
WHAT IS MADGIC?
MADGIC is… MAPS and ATLASES
DATA (NUMERIC and GEOSPATIAL) for use with special software
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION (parliamentary and other official reports, statistics, etc.)
… a CENTRE offering Expert Assistance
@ Your Library
Where in the Web can I find MADGIC?
Click on the Library’s home page and choose our home pages:
Government Information Maps GIS Statistics Numeric data SetsDon’t forget to look at
Subject and Course pages where you will find many topical Web guides as well
MADGIC is for you if you study…
Architecture /Art and Culture/Biology/Business/ Canadian Studies/Child Studies/Chemistry/Civil and Environmental Engineering/Criminology and Criminal Justice/Earth Sciences/Economics/ Environmental Science/Geography, Geomatics and Environmental Studies/History/Human Rights/Industrial Design/International Affairs/Journalism and Communication/Law/Mass Communication/Political Science and Global Politics/Public Affairs and Policy Management/Public Policy and Administration/Social Work/Sociology/Women’s Studies
Why Use Maps, Atlases, and Air Photos?
Present information clearly in a visual way
Often the only source of information, e.g. topographic maps or land use maps
Atlases gather together related spatial information by topic and/or by time period
Augment your research from an information source other than text
Where to find the Map Collection
Find maps on the Web
Air Photos in our collection
What is ‘data’?Numeric data comprises highly detailed datasets
in digital file formats which usually require a statistical software package to manipulate the results of a query
Public opinion poll data provides the raw numbers for each question asked by a poll
GIS data is geographically situated information about places that can be viewed through a GIS software and combined with other data to create new maps
Why Use Numeric Data?
Numeric data is at a more detailed level than available in printed or online statistical sources
Public opinion polls can support or counter arguments based on responses to questions
You can manipulate data files to produce new combinations of information using statistical software
The <odesi> searching interface makes data discovery easier
Find our Data Centre on the Web
Where to find the Data Centre
Why use Geospatial Data?
Spatially located information is best viewed as a map or image
Topographic data and air photos support site planning for an architectural project
Numeric data (for example, census data) can be combined with spatial data to create new map views of statistical information
Create Google Earth mashups with geographically referenced data and GPS plots
Find our GIS Collection on the Web
Where to get our GIS Data
What is Government Information?
Information found in publications or databases issued under the authority of a government body or by an intergovernmental international organization such as the United Nations or the World Bank
Government information is found in sources such as parliamentary bills, hearings and reports, research reports done for government agencies, commissions of inquiry, statistics, etc.
Government information can be either current or historical
Why Use Government Information?Primary source material
From an authentic source
Often most current information on an issue
Best source for most statistics
Documents on foreign relations
Track changes in policies over time
Search the Web using MADGIC’s customized Web search engines to get
better search results
Canadian federal, provincial and municipal online information
African government information
Caribbean and Latin American governments
Intergovernmental international organization websites
Online maps
Government Information on the Web
Where to find Government Publications
MADGIC supports your coursesMADGIC also offers these services:
Map Labs with course displays for assignments
Course seminars that highlight relevant resources with accompanying Web guides matched to course content
Data sets and sub-sets extracted for course use
Wall maps and transparencies to illustrate course themes
Stay up-to-date with the MADGIC Weblog and enrich your studies