Lecture #1

Question 1

Why is geographic space so complex?

Answer 1

We have lots of infinite geographic space, so we have to be selective

Some geography can’t be seen

Question 2

What is the difference between GIScience and GISystems?

Answer 2

GISystems are tools. GIScience is the theory that informs

Question 3

The following can be defined as what?

A tool used to project data on a map

Answer 3

GISystems

Question 4

What are the steps from real world phenomena to visual representations?

Answer 4

(RSRD) Real world -> Spatial phenomena -> Representation -> Display of representation

Question 5

What questions should we ask about spatial analysis?

Answer 5

Who, what, why, where & how?

Question 6

What is the goal of GIS?

Answer 6

Maps are not the goal, but rather improved insight and understanding are

Question 7

What defines a feature?

Answer 7

You need to outline a definition

Question 8

How do we classify entities?

Answer 8

Point, line or polygon

Question 9

What is the difference between continuous and discrete spatial phenomena?

Answer 9

Discrete phenomena is something that doesn’t exist everywhere, and is easily identifiable (houses, trees)

Continuous phenomena is something that exists everywhere (tree density)

Question 10

What is continuous variation and how do we make these values discrete?

Answer 10

Continuous variation is things that exist everywhere but vary such as air pressure. We need to put these into groups by assigning catagories (discretization)

Question 11

What are the methods of discretization?

Answer 11

Taking measurements at sample points, taking measures at transects and cross-sections, drawing contours and dividing the area into zones (SCZC)

Question 12

What are the issues with discretization?

Answer 12

They are approximations and data could be missing

Question 13

What is indeterminate boundaries?

Answer 13

Boundaries where you need to set them yourself such as when does a group of trees become a forest

Question 14

What is the difference between analogue and digital data?

Answer 14

Analogue data is drawn out where digital is digital

Question 15

What are the 4 components of GIS?

Answer 15

Data, hardware, software, users

Question 16

What is a thematic map?

Answer 16

A map representing something

Question 17

What is a general purpose map?

Answer 17

A reference map showing things like borders

Question 18

How does GPS work?

Answer 18

A satellite emits a signal, provides a distance from satellite to you on ground depending on how long the signal took, works with multiple satellites to work out where you are

Question 19

What is remote sensing?

Answer 19

Sensing and capturing an object without actually physically being there

Question 20

What is LIDAR?

Answer 20

Light detection and ranging, it provides point clouds which can become 3d representations of phenomena

Question 21

What is SFM?

Answer 21

Structure from motion is when you take multiple photographs of something and use 3d algorithms to determine what the rest of the structure will end up looking like

Question 22

What is signal degradation?

Answer 22

The process of blocking signals using materials to weaken their signal

Question 23

What is the difference between accuracy and precision in a GIS context?

Answer 23

Accuracy is the conceptual accuracy or geographic position accuracy while precision is the description and meta data of the data

Question 24

What is an absolute frame of reference?

Answer 24

We don’t need an anchor, we use a system like coordiantes

Question 25

What is relativity?

Answer 25

Relativity is when we use an anchor to define where soemthing is (10m west of Terry Fox statue)

Question 26

What are some name origins?

Answer 26

Settler names, Imperialist expansions, Aboriginal names and names based of cultural events