REMOTE SENSING / GIS TEACHING LAB(BNR 208)

USU

Geographic Research

From: Introduction to Scientific Geographic Research, 4th edition
L. Lloyd Haring, John F. Lounsbury and John W. Frazier "1. Define the Research Problem:
        a. What is the problem (the question to be answered in exact terms)
        b.   This includes the study area:
                (scale) small - Mapping less detail of a large area (macro-area) ex. Tundra in AK
                               large - Mapping more detail of a small area (micro-area) ex. City Park
2. Hypotheses:
        a. "A theory, assumption, or set of assumptions unproved but accepted tentatively as a
               basis for investigation."
3. Type of Data to be Collected: Must fit the research problem. Factors to be considered:
        a. What form of research is to be conducted?
        b. What is the scale of the Study Area? This will set:
                1. Type of data
                2. Classification of data and
                3. How to collect the data
                4. Possibility of:
                       a. surveyed completely or
                       b. by sampling procedures
4. Collection of Data:
        a. Analysis of published materials
     b. Field techniques
     c. Deployment of data collecting instruments (surveys) if needed.
5. Analyzing and Processing the Collected Data:
        a. Methods:
                1. Cartographic
                2. Statistical
        b. State Conclusions
        c. Determine if the Proposed Hypotheses are Confirmed or Denied.
Review the Scientific Method."

Developing a Geographic Information System - Project
From: Understanding GIS The ARC/INFO Method, ESRI "1. Determine the objectives of the Project
        Consider:
            *Problem, How to solve, are there other methods?
            * Final Products of the Project: reports, working maps, presentation quality maps
                and how often do they need to be generated or updated?
            *Who is the audience for the final products?
            *Other uses for the data and the specific requirements.
                                        Will Determine the Scope of the Project
2. Build the DataBase:
        *Most Critical:
            The completeness and accuracy of the database determines
            the quality of the analysis and final products.
        *Steps for Developing a Digital DataBase.
            *Design: Study Area Boundary
                              Coordinate System
                               Data Layers (or Coverages, shapefiles, images)
                               Features of the Layers
                               Attributes - How to Code - Organize
        *Automate the Data:
             *Get the spatial data into the database - digitize and/or convert data.
             *Make the data usable - verify and edit errors - create topology
             *Get the attribute data into the database - enter the attribute data into the computer,
                and associate the attributes with the spatial features.
        *Manage the DataBase:
              *Put the spatial data into real world coordinates, join adjacent coverages,
                and maintain the database.
3. Analyze the data:
        *Within the GIS or take the data to another analysis package like SAS, Fortran
            or others

4. Present the Results of the Analysis:
*Customized Maps and Reports
*Tabular

* Digital Format Project to CD-ROM"
http://www.gis.usu.edu/~bbanner/gishowto/Arcviewprojects.html

RS/GIS TL/ General Introduction to Remote Sensing and GIS
(Why points, polygons, lines, grids, Images, Raster vs. Vector)
http://www.nr.usu.edu/~bbanner/intrsgis/IntRSGIS.htm

Existing Data that is Available for use in Research, Projects,
or Term Papers (Downloadable from the Web)
The Goal of this lab is to develop the DATABASE for your Project.

DOQ's -Digital Orthophoto Quads
from USGS Available for Download from the AGRC
DOQ Information Sheet: What, Why and How
UTAH/AGRC (Automated Geographic Reference Center)
http://agrc.its.state.ut.us/
http://agrc.utah.gov/doqs/Digital%20Orthophoto%20Quads.htm

The Digital Raster Graphs (DRGs) -Topo Quads
DRGs Available Free Online
from USGS
http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/drg/
&
UTAH/AGRC (Automated Geographic Reference Center)
http://agrc.its.state.ut.us/
http://nrwrt1.nr.state.ut.us/quads/

UTAH/AGRC (Automated Geographic Reference Center)
http://agrc.its.state.ut.us/
Explore this site: Many options and datasets for UTAH available

RS/GIS Laboratory GeoSpatial Digital Data
http://www.gis.usu.edu/docs/archive/system_data.html

Other Data sites
http://www.gisdatadepot.com

The following lab http://www.gis.usu.edu/~gisclass/lab2.html From the GISCLASS contains instructions on how to download and process data from http://www.gisdatadepot.com
Do Not Do the Exercise Just use it as a HOWTO Page
ArcView import information UNIX&PC

Please e-mail bbanner@gis.usu.edu
if you have any questions
HAVE FUN!!!

This page: http://www.gis.usu.edu/~bbanner/gishowto/geoprojs.html

Home: For more Information

Author:Bonnie B. Banner _ RS/GIS Teaching Lab Manager, Geography and Earth Resources

College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-5240, _ Lab Phone (435)797-1264, fax (435)797-4048

For Scheduling Information _ bbanner@gis.usu.edu, voice (435)797-7117