Topic 2 Flashcards
fundamentally, a map is
a form of communication in which there is subjectivity and miscommunication is common
Anything in GIS deals with
representation
bias is at every step of the map making process and in every choice we make
two critical aspects of maps
knowledge is power!
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!
What is geographical representation?
among the olders and most important forms of human knowledge
graphical (maps and pictures)
verbal ( oral or written)
numerical (statistics)
Two key issues in geographic representation/communication
what to represent
how to represent it
(who are you trying to communicate with?)
Describe human imperfect knowledge
we do not know everything!
scientific knowledge is work in progress
can seldom establish who or what is correct
human made versus natural spatial phenomena
human made = usually discrete (buildings, roads)
natural = continuous
what is cognition
perception, thought process, memories, experiences, biases
everyone interprets things differently based on their personal views
things that are close to us are the most important
3 aspects of cognitive biases and representations
attaching importance
proximity and familiarity
cultural biases
why do certain symbols/words work
culturally significant - know your audience
describe and explain the cognitive map
cognitive maos are an internalization of everything we (individual) know and perceive
prior knowledge plays an important role
EX.
cog map at T0 + new experience (looking at map) = cognitive map at T1
describe the importance of shared knowledge in communication
in cartopgrahy there will usually be some overlap between map maker and map reader.
map maker must determine WHAT is that overlap
online access to geographic data and its issues
lethora of geographic data online, which dramatically changes how we can learn about people and places
Issue:
who controls this information
what are we not being told
describe the cartographic process (feedback loop)
an iterative process between the map maker and map user
describe the reality to cognitive map
reality - cartographers reality - map - readers reality
requires following actions
selection
generalization
classification
simplification
symbolization
describe NOIR groups
nominal - cannot be sorted (names)
ordinal - ranking between ranks does not matter (first, second , third)
interval - ranking between matters, zero IS arbitrary, can add/subtract
ratio - zero is NOT arbitrary, can do multiplication/division
describe the geospatial triangle
an object is connected by 3 primary things
attribute
location
time
what are the 4 general types of maps
reference
thematic
static
dynamic
map functions ranked
- navigation
- urban planning
- forecast (weather)
- management/storage or monitoring
- education
- legal maps - property lines
what are choropleth maps
commonly used to portray data collected from discrete spatial units
limitations
does not show variation within unit
boundaries are arbitrary