GIS research methods : incorporating spatial perspectives / Sheila Lakshmi Steinberg, Steven J. Steinberg.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Steinberg, Sheila L., author.

Steinberg, Steven J., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Geographic information systems.

Geographic information systems--Research.

Spatial analysis (Statistics).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (434 pages) : color illustrations, photographs, maps

Edition:

First edition.

Distribution:

London, England : Eurospan Group, [date of distribution not identified]

Place of Publication:

Redlands, Califronia : Esri Press, 2015.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

A solid introduction to research methods using geographic information systems (GIS). It is written for academics and professionals in the social and physical sciences.

Contents:

Cover

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the authors

1. Why think spatially?

Using spatial knowledge

What is GIS?

A new approach to research methods

The spatial advantage for research

Spatial analysis

Spatial thinking in research

Multiple research methods approach

Sociospatial thinking

GIS as a useful tool

2. Spatial conceptualization and implementation

The G in GIS

The I in GIS

The S in GIS

Conceptual data model: Incorporating GIS

Analytical approach: Phases of abstraction

Determining project goals

Guiding questions

Steps in the research process

Moving forward

3. Research design

What is the purpose of your research?

Deductive versus inductive approach to research

Stages of sociospatial research for deductive research

Grounded theory: GIS using an inductive approach

Sociospatial grounded theory using GIS

4. Research ethics and spatial inquiry

Research ethics and GIS

Errors caused by analysis

Errors in human inquiry

Ecological fallacy

Ethics and data collection

Ethics and data sharing

Ethics and data storage

5. Measurement, sampling, and boundaries

Moving beyond your personal experience

Choosing a sampling method for your spatial analysis

Concepts, variables, and attributes

Different data types: Matching geographic and social variables

Data sampling and GIS

Study area and sample unit boundaries

6. Using secondary digital and nondigital data sources in research

Evaluating data sources

Searching for secondary data

Evaluating data suitability

Obtaining GIS data from the Internet

Choosing GIS variables

Validity and reliability

Obtaining data from offline sources

Using news as a source of data

7. Survey and interview spatial data collection and databases

Developing your own data.

Spatializing your survey or interview questions

Using GIS in the field, with and without a computer

Data collection considerations

Unit of analysis

Database concepts and GIS

Rules for GIS database development

Creating GIS-friendly data tables

8. Public participation GIS

Public participation GIS and participatory GIS

Using public participation GIS as part of mixed methods

Does using GIS mean I have to be "high-tech" in the field?

Volunteered geographic information

Maps of your research area

Qualitative data and GIS files

Conducting a PPGIS data collection

Preparing for your own PPGIS session

9. Qualitative spatial ethnographic field research

Sociospatial documentation

Integrating GIS into field research

Ethnography

Case study research

Oral history interviews

Participant observation

Data cataloging

10. Evaluation research from a spatial perspective

What is evaluation research?

Why do evaluation research?

Sociospatial evaluation research

Presenting the spatial evaluation

The challenges and benefits of evaluation research

11. Conducting analysis with ArcGIS software

Approaching the analysis

Analysis techniques

Cartographic classification

Buffer and overlay

Spatial interpolation and simulation

Modeling

When to use GIS as a problem-solving tool

Potential pitfalls

Spatial statistics

ArcGIS Spatial Analyst

12. Spatial analysis of qualitative data

Qualitative data and GIS

What are qualitative data?

Spatial qualitative analysis

Steps for spatial qualitative analysis

13. Communicating results and visualizing spatial information

Keys to effective communication

GIS output

Selecting the mode of communication

Preparing the final product

Conclusion

14. Linking results to policy and action.

GIS and visualizing policy

What is policy?

Challenges to creating good policy

A fire example

Coordinating data

Decision support systems

From maps to action

How to create good place-based policy

Final thoughts

15. Future directions for geospatial use

Imagine the future

Geospatial agility

Image versus data

A rebirth of spatial awareness

GIS is an art form

GIS as change technology

The role of geospatial crowdsourcing

New directions for GIS-based research

Parting thoughts

Suggestions for student research projects

Index

Back cover.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

OCLC:

909896385