Geographic Information Systems for the Social Sciences : Investigating Space and Place

by Steven J. Steinberg

• ISBN13: 9780761928737
• ISBN10: 0761928731
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-04
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

"The Steinbergs have produced a very relevant book for the times. . . . While many books have emerged on the details of GIS, few resources exist to help teach the merger of GIS with more standard research methods. The Steinbergs accomplish this goal in a way that is readily accessible even to undergraduates." a??Theodore Wagenaar, Miami University A A "The Steinbergs take the reader through all of the essential foundations of GISa? using examples drawn from the social sciences throughout. This book will be essential reading for any social scientist looking for a straightforward introduction to GIS." a??Mike Goodchild, University of California, Santa Barbara A A Geographic Information Systems for the Social Sciences: Investigating Space and Place is the first book to take a cutting-edge approach to integrating spatial concepts into the social sciences. In this text, authors Steven J. Steinberg and Sheila L. Steinberg simplify GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for practitioners and students in the social sciences through the use of examples and actual program exercises so that they can become comfortable incorporating this research tool into their repertoire and scope of interest. The authors provide learning objectives for each chapter, chapter summaries, links to relevant Web sites, as well as suggestions for student research projects.A A Key Features: Presents step-by-step guidance for integrating GIS with both quantitative and qualitative research Provides an introduction to the use of GIS technology written at an accessible level for individuals without GIS experience while providing depth and guidance appropriate to experienced GIS usersA Offers an associated interactive Web sitea??http://www.socialsciencegis.orga??to provide a forum for sharing experience and ideas, input to the authors, and a variety of other examples, data, and information related to the topics covered in the text Geographic Information Systems for the Social Sciences offers a nuts-and-bolts introduction to GIS for undergraduate and graduate students taking methods courses across the social sciences. It is an excellent textbook for courses dedicated to GIS research and its applications in the fields of Sociology, Criminology, Public Health, Geography, Anthropology, Political Science, and Environmental Studies. It is also a valuable resource for any social scientist or practitioner interested in applying GIS technology to his or her work. An Instructor's Resource CD, containing PowerPoint slides, test questions, and suggested Web site links,A among other items, is also availableA to all professors adopting this text.

Table of Contents

List of Boxes, Figures, and Tables	xi
Preface	xv
Organization of This book	xvi
Chapter Summaries	xvii
Introduction	1	(2)
Social Inequality in Chicago Slums	3	(1)
Railroads as Indicators of Civilized Society	4	(1)
Early Social Ecology: Spatial Studies of Chicago	4	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	5	(2)
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	7	(10)
What Is a Geographic Information System?	7	(2)
Understanding GIS	9	(1)
The ``G'' in GIS	9	(3)
Difficulties With the ``G''	10	(2)
Expanding the ``G''	12	(1)
The ``I'' in GIS	12	(1)
Extending the ``I''	13	(1)
The ``S'' in GIS	13	(2)
Difficulties With the ``S''	14	(1)
Summary	15	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	16	(1)
GIS Basics	17	(18)
An Example of a Spatially Based Study	18	(2)
GIS Data Formats	20	(1)
Spatial Data Formats	21	(1)
GIS Data Models	21	(3)
Vector GIS	22	(1)
Raster GIS	23	(1)
Topological and Raster Data Models and Analysis Approaches	24	(1)
Data Compression and Packaging	25	(1)
Essential Mapping Concepts	26	(4)
Scale	26	(1)
Projections and Coordinates	27	(3)
A Bit About Datums	30	(1)
So What Do I Do?	30	(1)
GIS Output	31	(2)
Summary	33	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	33	(1)
Suggested Reading	34	(1)
Topics for Sociospatial Research	35	(16)
Introduction	36	(1)
What Value Does GIS Present in Social Science Research?	36	(1)
Exploring and Integrating Information	36	(5)
Seeking Relationships	38	(1)
Thinking Critically	38	(1)
Acknowledging Differences	39	(1)
Finding Common Ground	40	(1)
Determining Project Goals	41	(1)
Guiding Questions	42	(5)
Questions About Concept	42	(1)
Questions About Data	43	(1)
Questions About Location	44	(1)
Questions for Analysis	45	(2)
How To: Steps in the Process	47	(1)
Public Health Example	47	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	48	(3)
Research Design	51	(26)
Inductive Versus Deductive Approach to Research	52	(1)
What Is the Purpose of Your Research?	52	(2)
Descriptive Research	52	(1)
Exploration	53	(1)
Explanation	53	(1)
Stages of Sociospatial Research for Deductive Research	54	(11)
Choose a Topic	55	(1)
Define the Problem	55	(1)
Conduct a Literature Review	56	(1)
Develop a Hypothesis	57	(2)
Develop a Conceptual Framework	59	(1)
Choose Research Methods	60	(2)
Operationalization---Measurement	62	(1)
Collect and Prepare Data	62	(1)
Ground Truth the Data	63	(1)
Analyze the Data	64	(1)
Share Results	65	(1)
The Role of Time	65	(3)
Cross-Sectional Studies	66	(1)
Longitudinal Studies	67	(1)
Errors in Human Inquiry	68	(2)
Ecological Fallacy	70	(1)
Ethics and GIS	70	(6)
Privacy and Data Aggregation	71	(3)
Primary and Secondary Data	74	(1)
Accuracy Considerations	75	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	76	(1)
Suggested Reading	76	(1)
Qualitative Research Methods and GIS	77	(20)
Introduction	77	(1)
Grounded Theory: GIS Using an Inductive Approach	78	(1)
Grounded Theory and GIS	78	(2)
Sociospatial Grounded Theory Using GIS	80	(4)
Determine a Topic of Interest	80	(1)
Determine a Geographic Location of Interest	80	(1)
Collect the Data	81	(1)
Geocode the Data	81	(1)
Ground Truth the Data	82	(1)
Analyze Data and Look for Spatial and Social Patterns	83	(1)
Generate Theory (Spatial and Social)	83	(1)
Questions to Guide Integration of GIS Into Field Research	84	(4)
GIS Software in the Field	85	(1)
Maps of Your Research Area	85	(1)
Ground Truth of Map Data	86	(1)
Cultural Perceptions of Technology	87	(1)
Access to Results	88	(1)
Local Sources of Data	88	(1)
Oral History Interviews	89	(1)
GIS and Oral History	89	(1)
Participant Observation	90	(1)
News as a Source of Data	91	(1)
Ethnography and GIS	92	(1)
Case Studies and GIS	93	(1)
Public Participation and GIS	94	(2)
Relevant Web Sites	96	(1)
GIS Data Collection and Development (Sources, Input, and Output)	97	(28)
Introduction	98	(1)
Data Acquisition	98	(1)
Evaluating Data Suitability	99	(1)
Obtaining GIS Data From the Internet	100	(3)
Obtaining Data From Offline Sources	103	(1)
How Can I Use My Own Data?	104	(1)
Approaching the Use of GIS With and Without a Computer in the Field	105	(1)
GIS Without a Field Computer	105	(1)
GIS With a Field Computer	105	(1)
Data Collection Considerations	106	(3)
Address Matching	107	(1)
Using a GPS	107	(1)
Creating Base Maps From Scratch	108	(1)
Unit of Analysis	109	(2)
Database Concepts and GIS	111	(1)
Rules for GIS Database Development	111	(1)
Creating GIS-Friendly Data Tables	112	(5)
Space and Case	112	(2)
Data Format and Coding Considerations	114	(2)
Software Output Formats	116	(1)
Integrating Other Types of Data	117	(1)
GIS Output	118	(3)
Data Visualization	118	(2)
Statistical Output	120	(1)
Exporting Data to Other Applications	121	(1)
Conclusions	121	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	122	(3)
Measurement	125	(24)
Introduction	126	(1)
Type of Data Source: Primary or Secondary	126	(2)
Concepts, Variables, and Attributes	128	(1)
Operationalization of Concepts in GIS	128	(2)
Different Data Types: Matching Geographic and Social Variables?	130	(4)
Nominal Data	131	(1)
Ordinal Data	132	(1)
Interval Data	133	(1)
Ratio Data	134	(1)
Validity and Reliability	134	(4)
Validity and GIS	135	(1)
Reliability and GIS	135	(3)
Data Sampling and GIS	138	(4)
Probability and Nonprobability Sampling	138	(1)
Nonprobability Sampling	139	(1)
Purposive Sampling	140	(1)
Available Subjects	140	(1)
Snowball Sampling	141	(1)
Quota Sampling	141	(1)
Random sampling	142	(1)
Study Area and Sample Unit Boundaries	142	(5)
Edge Effects	142	(2)
The Modifiable Area Unit Problem	144	(1)
Selecting Boundaries	144	(3)
Factors Affecting Choice of GIS Variables	147	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	147	(1)
Suggested Reading	148	(1)
Data Documentation and Model Development	149	(12)
The Importance of Ground Truthing Data	150	(1)
Documenting Data Accuracy and Quality (Metadata)	150	(2)
Analytical Approach	152	(1)
Phases of Abstraction	153	(6)
Reality	153	(1)
Conceptual Data Model: Incorporating GIS	154	(2)
Logical Data Model	156	(2)
Open Source GIS	158	(1)
Physical Data Model	159	(1)
Statistical Outputs From GIS	159	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	160	(1)
Analysis, Interpretation, and Application	161	(34)
Analysis Techniques	162	(1)
Cartographic Classification	163	(2)
Buffer and Overlay	165	(3)
Buffer	165	(2)
Overlay	167	(1)
Proximity Polygons and Nearest Neighbors	168	(2)
Social Networks and Network Analysis	170	(9)
Network Analysis	172	(3)
Least Cost Path	175	(4)
Topographic Tools	179	(1)
Spatial Interpolation and Simulation	180	(6)
Modeling	186	(3)
Raster Modeling	187	(2)
When to Use GIS as a Problem-Solving Tool	189	(1)
Potential Pitfalls	189	(3)
Revisiting the Accessibility Example	190	(1)
Test It	191	(1)
Virtual Reality: Still Not Reality	191	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	192	(3)
Future Opportunities for Social Research and GIS	195	(22)
Linking GIS and the Social Sciences	196	(1)
Using GIS to Study Society and Change	197	(1)
Identifying Social Inequality	198	(1)
GIS City Case Example	199	(11)
Developing Community Profiles	200	(1)
North Town	200	(1)
East Side	200	(1)
South Town	200	(1)
Factors Affecting Choice of GIS Variables	201	(1)
Stages of Sociospatial Research for Deductive Research	202	(2)
Finding Sociodemographic Data	204	(1)
Surveys	205	(1)
Focus Groups	206	(2)
Data Capture as a Visualization Process	208	(2)
Government and GIS	210	(1)
Data Continuity Over Time	211	(1)
Metadata Documentation of Your Data	211	(1)
Future Directions for GIS and Social Sciences	212	(1)
Visualization and GIS	212	(1)
Faster Response Time	213	(1)
Impact of Tools for the Future	214	(1)
Parting Thoughts	214	(1)
Some Suggestions for Student Research Projects	215	(1)
Relevant Web Sites	216	(1)
Glossary	217	(20)
Web Links	237	(6)
References	243	(2)
Index	245	(6)
About the Authors	251