Lecture 4 | Introduction to

Geospatial Data
Learning Outcomes

Define and differentiate between data and information;

Define geospatial data and geospatial information; and

Discuss different kinds of data

What is Data?
• Data is derived from the Latin
word for "given" (datum) - similar
to the French "donnée".
• Data is the foundation for
understanding and explanations.
• Data can be represented in
digits, letters, and symbols.
Spatial vs Geographic vs Geospatial Data:

• Spatial: Refers to any space, including planets, the cosmos, and

even the human body.
• Geographic: Refers to Earth's surface and near surface (data
related to this area).
• Geospatial: Refers to data with a location relative to Earth
(features and phenomena with location as an attribute).
• Can include data above (weather) or below (groundwater) the Earth's
surface.
• Geospatial vs Geographic: Often used interchangeably, but
geospatial can be more precise because it's not limited to graphic
representations.
What is
information?

• Information vs.
Geospatial
Information:
• Information: Facts about
something or someone.
• Geospatial Information:
Information describing
locations and names of
Earth's features.
 Data Vs Information

1 2 3
Data: Raw, unorganized Information: Processed Analogy: Data is like the
facts and figures and organized data with ingredients for a cake,
representing the external meaning and context. information is the baked
world. Think of a pile of Think of a word formed and decorated cake.
unorganized letters. from those letters.
Extracting Information from Geospatial Data

Geospatial Data: Data with location information, often from

satellite images or aerial photographs. (Think of a grocery list
for the cake)

Geospatial Information: Extracted from geospatial data

through analysis and organization using geoinformatics tools.
(Think of following the recipe to bake the cake)

Example: A retail chain collects customer location and

purchase data (data). Analyzing this data with geoinformatics
tools (like a recipe) reveals buying patterns based on location
(information). This information can be used for targeted
marketing campaigns (like using the baked cake).
Precision

Precision: Refers to
the repeatability of data.

• Think of it as how consistent measurements

are, even if they might be wrong.

Analogy: Imagine throwing darts at a

target.

Precision: Your darts are all grouped

closely together, even if they're not in
the bullseye.
Accuracy

• Accuracy: Refers to how close a

measurement is to the true value.
• Think of it as how correct the
data is.
• Analogy: Imagine throwing darts at
a target.
• Accuracy: Your darts land near
the bullseye, regardless of how
spread out they are.
In essence:

• Precise data may not be

accurate (consistent but wrong).
• Accurate data can be both
precise and correct (close to the
true value and consistent).
Types of Data

• There are several ways to classify

data:
• By Source
• By Geospatial Reference
• By Composition
By Source:

Secondary Data: Already

Primary Data: Collected
collected and available
firsthand through surveys,
from external sources
field work, etc. (e.g.,
(e.g., published maps,
GNSS surveys)
statistics)
By Geospatial Reference:

• Primary Geospatial Data: Collected directly

with location information (e.g., satellite
imagery)
• Secondary Geospatial Data: Derived from
existing maps or data (e.g., digitizing a
paper map)
By Composition:

Non-spatial Data
Spatial
(Attributes): Describes
Data: Represents
characteristics of a
location (geometry or
location (e.g.,
shape)
population data)
Spatial Data

• Spatial data refers to information that has a specific location on

Earth's surface.
• It combines geometric and attribute information to describe features
and their characteristics.
• Imagine a map - the locations of features (rivers, cities) are the spatial
data, while their names and populations are the attributes.
Examples of Spatial
Data:
• Location of a rain gauge
• Area flooded during a disaster
• Delivery truck routes
• Extent of a forest fire
• Tourist attractions
Types of Spatial Data:

1. By Source: 2. By Representation:
Primary Spatial Data: Collected directly with Vector Data: Represents discrete features
location information (e.g., GPS data) using points, lines, and polygons.
Secondary Spatial Data: Derived from • Think of sharp, defined edges (e.g.,
existing sources (e.g., digitizing a paper map) buildings, roads)
Raster Data: Represents continuous fields
using a grid of cells. Each cell holds a value.
• Think of pixels in an image (e.g., elevation
data, satellite imagery)
Vector Data:
Uses points (nodes), lines (arcs), and polygons to represent
features.

Points define specific locations (e.g., well).

Lines connect points to represent linear features (e.g., roads).

Polygons define areas with a closed loop of lines (e.g., lakes).

Offers sharp edges and is good for representing well-defined

features.
Raster Data:

• Uses a fixed grid of cells to represent

space.
• Each cell holds a value that represents a
characteristic (e.g., elevation, land
cover type).
• Similar to pixels in a digital image.
• Well-suited for continuous data that
varies across space (e.g., temperature).
Non-Spatial Data (Attribute Data)

Imagine a map with symbols

Non-spatial data, also known for buildings. The spatial data
as attribute data, is the is the location and symbol of
information that describes the the building, while the non-
characteristics of features spatial data describes details
represented by spatial data. like the building material
(brick, concrete).
Examples of Nonspatial data

• Material used to
construct a building.
• Type of rain gauge used
to measure rainfall.
• Land use type (forest,
residential area).
• Names of cities and
districts.
 Relationship with Spatial Data:

• Non-spatial data adds context and meaning to spatial data. It helps us

understand what the features on a map represent.
• Analogy:
• Think of a map symbol as a person.
• The spatial data is the person's location.
• The non-spatial data is their name, age, and profession.
Additional Data Types:
Temporal Data:

It refers to data with a

time component,
Understanding of how
providing a historical
things change over time.
perspective to spatial or
non-spatial information.
Examples of
Temporal Data:
• Weather patterns and
environmental changes
• Population trends and
demographics
• Traffic conditions and
congestion patterns
• Monitoring resource
use and depletion
• Land-use changes
Metadata: Understanding
"Data About Data"

• Metadata is essentially data about

data.
• It provides critical information that
describes the content, origin, quality,
and other characteristics of a
dataset.
• Think of it as a label on a box - it tells
you what's inside without having to
open it.
Types of Metadata:

Structured Unstructured
Metadata: Designed for Metadata: Designed for
computers to read and humans to read and
process. Often uses understand. Provides
predefined fields and context and descriptive
formats. information.
Metadata Standards:

FGDC CSDGM: A widely ISO 19115: An

used standard international standard for
established by the geographic information
Federal Geographic Data metadata, mostly
Committee (FGDC) in the compatible with FGDC
US. CSDGM.
Measured Data

Reliability: Considered
Definition: Data the most reliable source
Example: Surveyors
obtained through direct if the measurement
determining the location
measurement in the process is well-
of a pipeline.
field. understood and
documented.
Importance of Checking Measured Data:

Identifying Potential Sources

Errors: Even minor of Error:
errors, like incorrect • Instrument limitations
transcription of field • Environmental factors
notes, can • Human error during
compromise data measurement or
recording
quality.
Inferred Data

Definition: Data derived through analysis and

calculations based on other existing data.

Example: Inferring crop types in a field based on the

electromagnetic radiation it reflects (satellite imagery).
Imported (Converted) Data

Definition: Data that has been brought in from another source and
potentially transformed into a compatible format.

Why Use Imported Data?

It's uncommon to use data solely from one source for decision-making. Data from various
sources is often combined for a more comprehensive picture
SUMMARY

Data are what you collect through observation, measurement, and inference.

Information is the data presented in an organised form.

Precision of data relates to repeatability of data obtained, while accuracy is the measurement of data.

We can categorise any data into primary and secondary data based on its genesis.

Data can be labelled as spatial data, non-spatial data, temporal data, measured data, metadata, inferred data
and imported data.

Data processing is used to create useful information from data. Major stages of data processing are acquisition,
retrieval, analysis, and presentation.