integrated ch 2

Question 1

definition of spatial data

Answer 1

Spatial: Where an object is located or where an event has occurred.

Temporal: When the location and attributes were accurate (time of collection).

Attribute: What characteristics the object or event has (e.g., population).

Question 2

examples of spatial data

Answer 2

State Boundaries: Spatial element for mapping regions.

Census Data: Temporal element refers to when data was collected, such as population statistics from 2010.

Population Density Maps: Attribute element provides detailed demographic information.

Question 3

Ground Surveying

Answer 3

Direct interaction with the environment to gather data.

Examples:
Surveys: Collect household or location-specific data.
GPS: Uses satellites to determine precise positions.
Weather Stations: Measure environmental factors like temperature.

Question 4

remote sensing

Answer 4

Data collection from a distance, often via satellites or aircraft.

Advantages:
Large area coverage.
Ability to detect non-visible light (e.g., infrared for heat).

Applications:
Deforestation tracking.
Urban sprawl analysis.

Question 5

geocoding

Answer 5

Converts addresses into geographic coordinates.

Applications:
Mapping addresses for urban planning.
Creating GPS-based navigation tools.

Question 6

metadata

Answer 6

Metadata is “data about data,” providing context and details about datasets.

Example
Canadian Digital Elevation Model (CDEM): Includes metadata about elevation accuracy and source.

Question 7

census data

Answer 7

Purpose
Collects social data for governments, nonprofits, and businesses.

Used for:
Allocating government resources.
Determining electoral boundaries.

Key Geographic Units
Census Tracts: 2,500 to 8,000 people.
Dissemination Areas: 400 to 700 people.

Challenges
Accuracy: Undercounting marginalized populations.
Temporal Gaps: Data becomes outdated over time (e.g., cancellation of Canada’s 2011 long-form census).

Question 8

resolution

Answer 8

Spatial Resolution: Smallest unit measured (e.g., 1 km grid).

Attribute Resolution: Level of category distinction (e.g., detailed demographic breakdown).

Temporal Resolution: Frequency of data collection (e.g., annual vs. daily).

Question 9

accuracy

Answer 9

Spatial Accuracy: How well mapped objects align with real-world locations.
E.g., Incorrectly drawn boundaries.

Attribute Accuracy: Whether characteristics reported are correct.
E.g., Incorrect survey responses.

Temporal Accuracy: Data freshness and relevance.
E.g., Data collected in 2000 used in 2023 may be outdated.

Question 10

interoperability

Answer 10

How well datasets work together.

Spatial: Matching boundaries between datasets (e.g., ZIP codes vs. census tracts).

Attribute: Aligning categories across datasets (e.g., racial categories in different censuses).

Temporal: Ensuring datasets are from the same time period.

Question 11

GPS components

Answer 11

Space Segment: Satellites transmitting signals.

Control Segment: Ground stations maintaining satellites.

User Segment: Receivers calculating position (e.g., smartphones).

Question 12

remote sensing platforms

Answer 12

Examples include Landsat, which provides long-term satellite imagery for environmental monitoring.

Question 13

comparison of ground surveying vs. remote sensing

Answer 13

advantages:

gs
-high accuracy, direct data

rs
-large area coverage, non-visible data

limitations

gs: time-consuming, costly

rs: lower resolution, expensive equipment

Question 14

spatial data

Answer 14

integrates location, time and attribute information to enable effective mapping and analysis

Question 15

What is geocoding?

Answer 15

Answer: The process of converting address information into geographic coordinates for mapping purposes.

Question 16

4. What is temporal resolution?

Answer 16

Answer: The frequency at which data is collected, such as annual or daily intervals

Question 17

Define spatial resolution.

Answer 17

Answer: The smallest unit that can be distinguished in data, such as a 1 km grid in a satellite image.

Question 18

Name two primary methods for collecting spatial data.

Answer 18

Ground Surveying: Direct data collection at a location.

Remote Sensing: Data collected from a distance using satellites or aircraft.

Question 19

What are the advantages of remote sensing?

Answer 19

Covers large areas.

Detects non-visible light, such as infrared.

Question 20

what is ground surveying

Answer 20

The collection of spatial data through direct interaction, such as with a GPS device or by conducting interviews.

Question 21

What are some limitations of GPS?

Answer 21

Answer: Signal interference from solid objects, limited satellites, and device quality affecting accuracy.

Question 22

why is census data important?

Answer 22

Answer: Used for government resource allocation, determining electoral boundaries, and analyzing social demographics.

Question 23

How are census data standardized?

Answer 23

Answer: By aggregating data at larger geographic units, such as census tracts or dissemination areas.

Question 24

What is attribute resolution?

Answer 24

Answer: The level of detail in the categories of data, such as distinguishing between age groups.

Question 25

Define spatial accuracy.

Answer 25

Answer: How well a mapped location aligns with its true position in the real world.

Question 26

What is attribute accuracy?

Answer 26

Answer: How accurately characteristics (e.g., income level) are reported for a given object or event.

Question 27

Why is temporal accuracy important?

Answer 27

Answer: Ensures that the data reflects current conditions and remains relevant.

Question 28

What is spatial interoperability?

Answer 28

Answer: How well spatial units match across datasets, such as ZIP codes vs. census tracts.

Question 29

24. What is attribute interoperability?

Answer 29

Answer: How well the categories in different datasets align, such as racial classifications in different censuses.