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Analysis of Geographic Data
ANALYSIS - What? & Why?
The heart of GIS is the analytical capabilities of the system. What distinguish the GIS system from other information system are its spatial analysis functions. Although the data input is, in general, the most time consuming part, it is for data analysis that GIS is used. The analysis functions use the spatial and non-spatial attributes in the database to answer questions about the real world. Geographic analysis facilitates the study of real-world processes by developing and applying models. Such models illuminate the underlying trends in geographic data and thus make new information available. Results of geographic analysis can be communicated with the help of maps, or both.
The organization of database into map layers is not simply for reasons of organizational clarity, rather it is to provide rapid access to data elements required for geographic analysis. The objective of geographic analysis is to transform data into useful information to satisfy the requirements or objectives of decision-makers at all levels in terms of detail. An important use of the analysis is the possibility of predicting events in the another location or at another point in time.
ANALYSIS - How?
Before commencing geographic analysis, one needs to assess the problem and establish an objective. The analysis requires step-by-step procedures to arrive at the conclusions.
The range of geographical analysis procedures can be subdivided into the following categories.
- Database Query.
- Overlay.
- Proximity analysis.
- Network analysis.
- Digital Terrain Model.
- Statistical and Tabular Analysis.
Spatial Analysis
It helps us to:
- Identify trends on the data.
- Create new relationships from the data.
- View complex relationships between data sets.
- Make better decisions.
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