This week we will discuss the concept of scale. Scale is an core geographic concept and can have an important impact on how we understand social and environmental problems through a GIS.
Data: Exercise on Scale, Exercise on the MAUP
Lecture: Lecture notes are available to download here (powerpoint, flash).
Reading:
- Price, M. Chapter 6 is recommended (not required) reading. The chapter covers spatial joins, a topic that we review in class.
Assignment:
- List of data sources and data gaps for your final project. This list should be annotated and have the following structure:
- The first few sentences should be a brief review of your project.
- The next few sentences should provide an overview of the data you have and are missing.
- A list of the data you have. Each list entry should provide the title and source of the data set, if its something you created that is fine, no need to make up a title. If you have identified a data source but to not yet have it please include it in the list. I may be able to help you get it…
- If you feel like there are holes, parts of your project for which you cannot identify a specific data source please note these. Be as specific as a possible, “I would like data to measure the acidification of lakes in the Adirondacks but…”
Please note: Your grade on this assignment counts toward your overall final project grade.