Geographical Information System (GIS)

Question 1

what is gis?

Answer 1

a collection of computer hardware, software, data, people and processes designed to capture, store, update manipulate, analyse and display spatially referenced data

Question 2

components of GIS

Answer 2

• hardware
• software
• data
• people processes

Question 3

functional element of GIS

Answer 3

capture, store, update, manipulate and analyse spatially referenced data

Question 4

two types of data in GIS

Answer 4

• spatial data
• attribute data

Question 5

spatial data

Answer 5

the shape and location of geographical features

Question 6

attribute data

Answer 6

the characteristics of geographic features

Question 7

two methods of storing data in GIS

Answer 7

• vector data
• rasta data

Question 8

vector data

Answer 8

the representation of an area using points, lines and polygons

Question 9

rasta data

Answer 9

the representation of an area using grid cells or pixels

Question 10

processes when working with GIS

Answer 10

• data input
• data storage
• data analysis
• output information
• data mangement
• data application

Question 11

sources of information for GIS

Answer 11

• remote sensing
• survey data
• measure data
• primary data
• secondary data

Question 12

remote sensing

Answer 12

aerial photos and satellite images

Question 13

survey data

Answer 13

roads, railways, altitude census data

Question 14

measure data

Answer 14

e.g. rainfall, temperature, air pressure etc.

Question 15

primary data

Answer 15

first hand observations and measurement

Question 16

secondary data

Answer 16

existing data measured and captured by another organisation

Question 17

how can GIS be used to assist with the location of a business?

Answer 17

• find information about other existing businesses
• determine demand for business
• find ideal location for business
• work out routes for deliveries

Question 18

what is remote sensing?

Answer 18

the observation of the earth from a distance through satellites or aeroplanes

Question 19

what is remote sensing used for?

Answer 19

to study landscapes, ecosystems, hydrology, atmosphere, climatic change, human development and the impact of humans on the environment

Question 20

types of remote sensing

Answer 20

• passive sensors
• active sensors

Question 21

passive sensors

Answer 21

sensors that measure reflected sunlight emitted from the sun

Question 22

active sensors

Answer 22

sensors that send light to their targets and measure the reflected energy back to them

Question 23

advantages of remote sensing

Answer 23

• data can be collected for inaccessible areas
• large areas can be captured as images
• they can be delivered quickly

Question 24

what is a data base?

Answer 24

a collection of data organised for use in computers

Question 25

what is data layering / thematic?

Answer 25

the placing of one map on top of another to see the relationship between different sets of data

Question 26

uses of layering / thematic

Answer 26

- different sets of data can be compared - relationships between different sets of data can be established - analysing different sets of information - comparison can assist with future developments

Question 27

what is data integration?

Answer 27

the integration of data from different maps into one map which summaries the overlaying process

Question 28

problems experienced with data integration prior to the introduction of GIS

Answer 28

- maps have different scale - different map projections are used on maps - different geo-referenced maps are used

Question 29

why is data integration important to a geographer?

Answer 29

a summary of integrated data is produced which makes it easier to analyse data

Question 30

what is buffering?

Answer 30

a process of demarcating an area around a feature

Question 31

what is data manipulation?

Answer 31

when data is processed and converted into useful information

Question 32

why is it necessary to manipulate data in a database?

Answer 32

- correct distortions - sharpen definition - ensure colour consistency - correct latitude and longitude registration - makes data more manageable

Question 33

what is statistical analysis?

Answer 33

interpreting the various forms of statistics in relation to a query

Question 34

what is data standardisation?

Answer 34

making the data similar to other data sets to allow data sharing

Question 35

what is querying ?

Answer 35

investigating the data and finding answers about specific parts of the dataset

Question 36

what is data sharing?

Answer 36

making the data available for other users to access

Question 37

what is data security?

Answer 37

ensuring that data is safe from tampering and not everyone has access to sensitive data

Question 38

what is data back up (backing up data)?

Answer 38

recovering data — important part of data security

Question 39

what is resolution?

Answer 39

the detail and clarity of images in satellite and ariel photographs - the smaller the pixels, the clearer the image

Question 40

what is spatial resolution?

Answer 40

the detail with which a map shows the location and shape of geographic features

Question 41

ways in which GIS can be used to assist a farmer before consider cultivation

Answer 41

- availability of water - fertility of soil - relief of the land - micromlimate - access to infrastructure - access to transport