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Introduction to GIS, Thematic Mapping, and Spatial Analysis in Social Science: Research, Teaching and Outreach. Robert Nash Parker Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies and Department of Sociology University of California Riverside. GIS: Transform and Enhance Social Research.
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Introduction to GIS, Thematic Mapping, and Spatial Analysis in Social Science: Research, Teaching and Outreach Robert Nash Parker Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies and Department of Sociology University of California Riverside
GIS: Transform and Enhance Social Research • Dissemination and Communication • Classroom; Policy; Scientific Communication • Facilitate Construction of more complex and useful research databases • Ability to link data to context • Combine traditional and Spatial Data • Construct more interesting hypotheses • Spatial Modeling Tools for hypothesis testing in Multivariate Frameworks
Dissemination and Communication • Maps provide visually rich template for data dissemination and presentation • Complex analytical maps can convey multivariate information in a concise manner • Impact of information is enhanced for policy and scientific audiences • Classroom examples are powerful learning tools
Dissemination Example #1: State Capitols • Data has traditionally been displayed in Tables
Using A Map Instead has several advantages • Conveys the information in a visually attractive manner • Shows additional information concerning the spatial relationships that are not easily perceived in table form • Use of Color can enhance the dissemination of the information
Example #1A: State Capitols • Color used to display Census Regions • Map shows spatial relationship among the states • Use of Symbols can further enhance information content and transmission of another variable
Example #2: Classifying Data • Maps can show dramatic differences depending on the classification and subclassification of data • Youth Contacts with Police versus Youth Gang Contacts
Example #2: Classifying Youth Violence-All Youth Police Contacts
Example #2a: Classification • Contrast is Sharp on Thematic Map Comparison • Spatial Patterns Immediately and Clearly evident • Additional Detail from Tabular presentation is harder to comprehend in Presentation setting
Example 3: Impact in Presentation and Dissemination-Youth Violence in Riverside 2005
Example 4: Multivariate Information Displayed on the Map: Youth Probation and Youth Violence
Potential to Enhance Scientific Dissemination • Ability to display spatial statistical analyses • Powerful Tools such as animation and Three Dimensional mapping now accessible
The Map is the Booby Prize of GIS (J. Dangermond?) • Database capabilities make GIS an effective tool for policy and research • Ability to use Geocoding to combine different data types with common spatial links is the key ability
Example #6: Multiple Sources linked on a single map: City of New Orleans and Katrina Flood Waters
Bringing Multiple Sources Together: Geocoding • Requirements • Address reference data • Events with recorded addresses • GIS software • Patience and Practice
Understanding and Testing for Spatial Impact • What are the consequences of Spatially Influenced data? • Variance of estimates is too small • Statistical Tests too large: False Positives • How can you tell if you have Spatially impacted Data? • Calculating Spatial Statistics • Moran’s I; Anselin’s Local Moran I; Getis-Ord Hotspots
Multivariate Spatial Models for Hypothesis Testing • Such models are needed to support research applications of GIS • Database capabilities link different data sources and types to build more useful data and generate more interesting hypotheses and tests
Conclusions • GIS currently used in about 10% of Social Research • A great deal of Enhancement to Social Research is possible with GIS • Dissemination, Class room use, and scientific communications will also be enhanced • Software should become more user friendly as capabilities recognized and demand increases
IMAGES FROM: GIS and Spatial Analysis for the Social Sciences: Coding, Mapping, and Modeling ROBERT NASH PARKER EMILY K. ASENCIO Routledge Press, 2008