An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

by Heywood, Ian; Cornelius, Sarah; Carver, Steve

• ISBN13: 9780131293175
• ISBN10: 0131293176
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

This text provides a clear introduction to the world of Geographical Information Systems and explains how they are actually used, across a variety of disciplines and within a range of industries.. Revision questions - allows students to test their understanding 'Further Study - Reading' offers sources of additional information for those who wish to explore a topic further 'Further Study - Activities' offers a selection of practical activities for the student to undertake to put into practice the techniques they have studied Companion website includes simulated spreadsheet data for students' practice, as well as multiple-choice questions, revision questions and weblinks for further investigation and lecturer resources

Author Biography

Ian Heywood is now Director of Skills and Learning for Scottish Enterprise Grampian Sarah Cornelius is a trainer and Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen and an Associate Lecturer at the Open University Steve Carver is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of Leeds

Table of Contents

List of figures	x
Preface	xv
Guided tour	xx
Case studies	xxii
Acknowledgements	xxiv
Publisher's acknowledgements	xxvi
Abbreviations and acronyms	xxviii
About the authors	xxx
Part 1 Fundamentals of GIS
What is GIS?	2	(29)
Learning outcomes	2	(1)
Introduction	3	(15)
Defining GIS	18	(1)
Components of a GIS	19	(9)
Conclusions	28	(1)
Revision questions	28	(1)
Further study -- activities	29	(1)
Further study -- reading	29	(1)
Web links	30	(1)
Spatial data	31	(40)
Learning outcomes	31	(1)
Introduction	32	(3)
Maps and their influence on the character of spatial data	35	(17)
Thematic characteristics of spatial data	52	(1)
Other sources of spatial data	53	(14)
Conclusions	67	(1)
Revision questions	68	(1)
Further study - activities	68	(1)
Further study - reading	68	(1)
Web links	69	(2)
Spatial data modelling	71	(37)
Learning outcomes	71	(1)
Introduction	72	(2)
Entity definition	74	(3)
Spatial data models	77	(2)
Spatial data structures	79	(8)
Modelling surfaces	87	(7)
Modelling networks	94	(3)
Building computer worlds	97	(2)
Modelling the third dimension	99	(2)
Modelling the fourth dimension	101	(4)
Conclusions	105	(1)
Revision questions	106	(1)
Further study - activities	106	(1)
Further study - reading	106	(1)
Web links	107	(1)
Database management	108	(25)
Learning outcomes	108	(1)
Introduction	109	(2)
Why choose a database approach?	111	(3)
Database data models	114	(2)
Creating a database	116	(4)
GIS database applications	120	(8)
Developments in databases	128	(2)
Conclusions	130	(1)
Revision questions	131	(1)
Further study - activities	131	(1)
Further study - reading	131	(1)
Web links	132	(1)
Data input and editing	133	(37)
Learning outcomes	133	(1)
Introduction	134	(1)
Methods of data input	135	(16)
Data editing	151	(13)
Towards an integrated database	164	(4)
Conclusions	168	(1)
Revision questions	168	(1)
Further study - activities	168	(1)
Further study - reading	168	(1)
Web links	169	(1)
Data analysis	170	(51)
Learning outcomes	170	(1)
Introduction	171	(1)
Measurements in GIS - lengths, perimeters and areas	172	(3)
Queries	175	(1)
Reclassification	176	(1)
Buffering and neighbourhood functions	177	(7)
Integrating data -- map overlay	184	(10)
Spatial interpolation	194	(8)
Analysis of surfaces	202	(11)
Network analysis	213	(4)
Conclusions	217	(1)
Revision questions	218	(1)
Further study - activities	218	(1)
Further study - reading	219	(1)
Web links	220	(1)
Analytical modelling in GIS	221	(31)
Learning outcomes	221	(1)
Introduction	222	(1)
Process models	222	(4)
Modelling physical and environmental processes	226	(8)
Modelling human processes	234	(4)
Modelling the decision-making process	238	(8)
Problems with using GIS to model spatial processes	246	(3)
Conclusions	249	(1)
Revision questions	249	(1)
Further study - activities	249	(1)
Further study - reading	250	(1)
Web links	251	(1)
Output: from new maps to enhanced decisions	252	(28)
Learning outcomes	252	(1)
Introduction	253	(1)
Maps as output	254	(10)
Non-cartographic output	264	(1)
Spatial multimedia	265	(1)
Mechanisms of delivery	266	(6)
GIS and spatial decision support	272	(4)
Conclusions	276	(1)
Revision questions	277	(1)
Further study - activities	277	(1)
Further study - reading	277	(1)
Web links	278	(2)
Part 2 Issues in GIS
The development of computer methods for handling spatial data	280	(19)
Learning outcomes	280	(1)
Introduction	281	(1)
Handling spatial data manually	281	(2)
The development of computer methods for handling spatial data	283	(4)
The development of GIS	287	(9)
Conclusions	296	(1)
Revision questions	296	(1)
Further study - activities	297	(1)
Further study - reading	297	(1)
Web links	298	(1)
Data quality issues	299	(34)
Learning outcomes	299	(1)
Introduction	300	(1)
Describing data quality and errors	300	(5)
Sources of error in GIS	305	(13)
Finding and modelling errors in GIS	318	(6)
Managing GIS error	324	(2)
Conclusions	326	(4)
Revision questions	330	(1)
Further study - activities	331	(1)
Further study - reading	331	(1)
Web links	332	(1)
Human and organizational issues	333	(22)
Learning outcomes	333	(1)
Introduction	334	(1)
GIS applications	334	(4)
GIS users	338	(5)
Justifying the investment in GIS	343	(2)
Choosing and implementing a GIS	345	(6)
Organizational changes due to GIS	351	(1)
Conclusions	352	(1)
Revision questions	353	(1)
Further study - activities	353	(1)
Further study - reading	353	(1)
Web links	354	(1)
GIS project design and management	355	(21)
Learning outcomes	355	(1)
Introduction	356	(1)
Problem identification	356	(3)
Designing a data model	359	(6)
Project management	365	(6)
Implementation problems	371	(1)
Project evaluation	371	(2)
Conclusions	373	(1)
Revision questions	374	(1)
Further study - activities	374	(1)
Further study - reading	374	(1)
Web links	375	(1)
The future of GIS	376	(24)
Learning outcomes	376	(1)
Introduction	377	(1)
GIS in the 1990s	377	(8)
Where next for GIS in the twenty-first century?	385	(5)
Conclusions	390	(2)
Epilogue	392	(6)
Revision questions	398	(1)
Further study - activities	398	(1)
Further study - reading	398	(1)
Web links	399	(1)
References	400	(12)
Glossary	412	(8)
Index	420