UNIT 3

2-Mark Questions with Answers

1. What is a scanner’s role in GIS data input?

Answer: A scanner is used to digitize paper maps, converting them into raster data that
can be processed in GIS for further analysis or vectorization.
2. What is georeferencing in GIS?
Answer: Georeferencing is the process of aligning spatial data (like a scanned map) to
real-world coordinates, allowing it to be used accurately within a GIS.
3. Name two common raster data file formats used in GIS.
Answer: Two common raster data file formats are GeoTIFF (.tif) and JPEG2000 (.jp2).
4. What is the purpose of a digitizer in GIS?
Answer: A digitizer is used to manually trace features on a physical map, converting
them into digital vector data for use in GIS.
5. Define ‘datum’ in GIS.
Answer: A datum is a reference point or system that defines the position of coordinates
on the Earth's surface, providing a basis for mapping and spatial analysis.
6. What is coordinate transformation?
Answer: Coordinate transformation is the process of converting spatial data from one
coordinate system to another, ensuring spatial data aligns correctly in a GIS.
7. Explain the concept of topology in GIS.
Answer: Topology in GIS refers to the spatial relationships between vector features,
including connectivity, adjacency, and containment, ensuring data accuracy and integrity.
8. What is the difference between topological and non-topological file formats?
Answer: Topological file formats store spatial relationships between features (like
adjacency), while non-topological formats lack this information, focusing only on spatial
coordinates.
9. Define attribute data linking in GIS.
Answer: Attribute data linking connects spatial features with their descriptive
information (attributes), enhancing the data’s usefulness for analysis and decision-
making.
10. How is GPS data integrated into GIS?
Answer: GPS data is imported into GIS by converting its coordinates to match the GIS’s
spatial reference system, enabling real-world positioning and spatial analysis.

Extended Questions with Answers

1. Describe the process of raster data input in GIS using a scanner and explain the
importance of resolution in scanning.
Answer: Raster data input via a scanner involves digitizing paper maps or images to
convert them into grid-based digital formats that GIS can use. The map is scanned at a
specific resolution, which determines the quality and detail of the raster image. Higher
resolutions capture more details but result in larger file sizes. Resolution is crucial for
 accuracy; a high-resolution scan ensures that fine map details are preserved, which is
important for applications needing precise spatial data, such as urban planning or
environmental mapping.
2. Explain the main types of raster data file formats used in GIS and discuss their
advantages and limitations.
Answer: Common raster file formats in GIS include GeoTIFF and JPEG2000.
GeoTIFF supports georeferencing and stores metadata, making it ideal for GIS
applications that require precise spatial information. JPEG2000 offers better
compression, reducing file sizes while retaining image quality, which is useful for storage
and distribution. However, JPEG2000 can be slower to process. Formats like PNG and
BMP are less commonly used in GIS due to their lack of spatial referencing, limiting
their application in spatial analysis.
3. What is georeferencing, and what are the steps involved in georeferencing a scanned
map in GIS?
Answer: Georeferencing is aligning a scanned map to a coordinate system, allowing it to
represent real-world locations accurately in GIS. The process involves selecting control
points on the scanned map that correspond to known locations in a spatial reference
system, then applying a transformation (e.g., affine or polynomial) to adjust the map.
Once aligned, the map can be saved with its new coordinates, enabling its use with other
geospatial datasets. Accurate control points and transformations are critical for
maintaining spatial accuracy.
4. Describe the purpose and process of digitizing vector data using a digitizer in GIS.
Answer: Digitizing converts physical map features into digital vector data by tracing
them manually with a digitizer or using software tools on a scanned map. This process
begins with placing the map on a digitizer table and identifying control points to establish
a coordinate system. Features (like boundaries or roads) are then traced, creating vector
points, lines, or polygons. Digitizing is fundamental in GIS for creating editable vector
datasets from paper maps, though it requires precision to avoid spatial errors.
5. Explain datum, projection, and reprojection in GIS and why these concepts are
important.
Answer: A datum provides a base reference for measuring locations on Earth. A
projection translates the Earth’s curved surface to a flat map, each with specific
distortions. Reprojection is the process of converting data from one projection to another
to align spatial data correctly. These concepts are critical for ensuring spatial accuracy in
GIS; inconsistent datums or projections can lead to errors in distance, area, and angle
measurements, which could mislead analysis and decision-making.
6. What is coordinate transformation, and what are the common methods used in
GIS?
Answer: Coordinate transformation converts spatial data from one coordinate system to
another to ensure spatial alignment in GIS. Common methods include affine
transformation (preserves lines and parallelism), polynomial transformation (corrects
distortions through higher-order functions), and rubber sheeting (warps data to fit
control points). Transformations are crucial for integrating data from different sources,
ensuring that features align accurately across layers for accurate analysis.
7. Discuss topology in GIS and describe the concepts of adjacency, connectivity, and
containment.
 Answer: Topology in GIS defines spatial relationships between vector features, ensuring
data integrity and accuracy. Adjacency indicates features sharing a common boundary,
connectivity ensures that linked features (like roads) connect correctly, and containment
represents features entirely within another feature (e.g., lakes within park boundaries).
Topology is essential for tasks like network analysis, where misaligned connections or
gaps can lead to inaccuracies. GIS software uses topological rules to maintain these
relationships, supporting error-free spatial analysis.
8. Explain the significance of topological consistency rules and provide examples of
their application in GIS.
Answer: Topological consistency rules enforce spatial relationships, reducing errors and
ensuring data accuracy. Examples include no gaps (ensuring all polygons cover a
continuous area), no overlaps (avoiding duplicate boundaries), and must be connected
(roads forming a continuous network). These rules are essential in applications like
infrastructure mapping or urban planning, where spatial relationships impact network
connectivity and spatial accuracy. Applying these rules helps maintain data reliability,
especially in complex analyses.
9. What are non-topological file formats in GIS, and how do they differ from
topological formats?
Answer: Non-topological file formats, such as Shapefiles, store spatial coordinates
without explicit relationships, focusing on geometry rather than topology. Unlike
topological formats, they lack built-in rules for spatial relationships like adjacency or
containment, which can lead to inconsistencies if features overlap or are disconnected.
Non-topological formats are simpler and faster to process, making them popular for
visualization and basic analysis but less suitable for applications requiring strict spatial
relationships, like network analysis.
10. Describe how GPS data is integrated with GIS and the challenges involved in this
process.
Answer: GPS data is integrated into GIS by importing coordinates and aligning them
with the GIS’s spatial reference system. Challenges include handling inaccuracies due to
GPS signal loss, variations in datum, and discrepancies in coordinate systems.
Additionally, GPS data often requires filtering or smoothing to improve accuracy,
especially for high-precision applications. Despite these challenges, GPS integration is
invaluable for real-time tracking, field data collection, and updating spatial databases,
especially in sectors like transportation and environmental monitoring.

UNIT 4

2-Mark Questions with Answers

1. Define data completeness in the context of GIS.

Answer: Data completeness in GIS refers to the extent to which all necessary and
required data are present within a dataset. It reflects whether the dataset includes all
necessary features and attributes.
2. What is logical consistency in GIS data quality?
Answer: Logical consistency checks the correctness of the relationships and structure
 within spatial data. It ensures that the data follows defined rules, such as topological
accuracy and the correct alignment of spatial features.
3. Explain positional accuracy.
Answer: Positional accuracy refers to the closeness of spatial data coordinates to their
true location on the Earth’s surface. It is a measure of how precisely the location of
features is recorded.
4. What is temporal accuracy in GIS?
Answer: Temporal accuracy indicates the correctness of temporal aspects of data, such
as the timing of data collection, updates, and relevance. It ensures the data reflects the
true time when events or features were recorded.
5. Describe thematic accuracy in GIS.
Answer: Thematic accuracy assesses the accuracy of attribute data associated with
spatial features. It checks if the attributes, such as population, vegetation type, or land
use, correctly represent real-world information.
6. What does "lineage" mean in GIS data?
Answer: Lineage in GIS refers to the history of a dataset, including its source, the
processes applied, and transformations the data underwent. It helps users assess the
reliability and quality of the data.
7. Define metadata in GIS.
Answer: Metadata in GIS is data about data; it provides information about the dataset’s
origin, structure, accuracy, and use, helping users understand and evaluate the data’s
applicability.
8. What is the purpose of GIS standards?
Answer: GIS standards ensure data compatibility, interoperability, and quality across
different systems and platforms, allowing seamless data exchange and integration.
9. What does OGC stand for?
Answer: OGC stands for Open Geospatial Consortium, an organization that develops and
promotes standards for geospatial data to improve interoperability among GIS systems.
10. Explain the concept of interoperability in GIS.
Answer: Interoperability in GIS is the ability of different GIS systems, applications, and
data to work together, exchange, and make use of data without significant compatibility
issues.
11. What is Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)?
Answer: Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is a framework of technologies, policies, and
standards that enables the discovery, sharing, and management of spatial data across
different systems and organizations.
12. Give an example of how GIS standards ensure data quality.
Answer: GIS standards such as ISO 19115 for metadata ensure data quality by providing
guidelines on documenting the source, accuracy, and validity of spatial data, which
supports users in assessing data reliability.
13. Briefly describe the importance of metadata in GIS.
Answer: Metadata is crucial in GIS as it provides essential information about the data's
origin, quality, and characteristics, allowing users to determine its suitability for specific
applications.
13-Mark Questions with Answers

1. Discuss the basic aspects of GIS data quality, including completeness, logical
consistency, and accuracy (positional, temporal, and thematic).
Answer: GIS data quality is critical for ensuring that spatial data accurately represents
real-world phenomena. Completeness checks if all necessary features and attributes are
included. Logical consistency ensures data follows predefined rules and topological
relationships, reducing errors like overlapping polygons. Positional accuracy measures
the location accuracy of features on Earth’s surface, while temporal accuracy assesses if
data represents the correct time of recording. Thematic accuracy evaluates attribute data
reliability, confirming that features like population or vegetation type are represented
accurately. High data quality is essential for making reliable, actionable decisions based
on spatial information.
2. Explain the concept of data lineage in GIS. Why is it important for ensuring data
quality?
Answer: Data lineage in GIS refers to the tracking of the origin, transformations, and
processes that data has undergone since its creation. This includes recording the sources,
processing methods, and any modifications made to the data. Lineage is crucial as it
allows users to assess data reliability and trace errors or discrepancies. By knowing a
dataset’s lineage, users can evaluate the credibility of the data, understand its limitations,
and make informed decisions about its use. This transparency is especially important for
collaborative projects where multiple data sources are integrated.
3. Describe the role of metadata in GIS. Discuss its types and the value it adds to
spatial data management.
Answer: Metadata in GIS provides essential information about datasets, including who
created it, when, how, and for what purpose. Types of metadata include descriptive
(general information about the dataset), administrative (data management details like
ownership and access), and structural (organization of the dataset). Metadata helps users
assess data relevance and quality, facilitating data sharing and reducing redundancy. It
supports data governance, enables efficient data discovery, and ensures users have
sufficient context to interpret spatial data correctly. Metadata thus adds substantial value
to data management and enhances data usability.
4. Explain the purpose of GIS standards and how they contribute to data
interoperability.
Answer: GIS standards establish guidelines for data formats, data handling, and data
sharing, ensuring consistency and compatibility across different GIS platforms.
Standards, such as those by the OGC and ISO, enable different systems to read,
exchange, and analyze data without compatibility issues, which is the essence of
interoperability. By following standards, organizations can avoid data silos, improve data
integration, and enhance collaboration across sectors. GIS standards ultimately support
seamless information flow, enabling more robust and cohesive geographic analysis across
diverse applications and industries.
5. Discuss the role of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) in setting GIS standards
and ensuring interoperability across platforms.
Answer: The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is an international organization that
develops open standards for geospatial data and services. It promotes interoperability by
 creating standards like WMS (Web Map Service) and WFS (Web Feature Service) that
allow different GIS platforms to exchange data effectively. OGC standards are widely
adopted, enabling data sharing, service integration, and collaborative projects across
various platforms and industries. By ensuring compatibility between systems, OGC’s
work facilitates efficient data use, allowing for more extensive and coordinated
geographic analysis, which is critical for sectors like urban planning, environmental
monitoring, and emergency response.
6. What is Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)? Explain its components and significance
for data sharing and management in GIS.
Answer: Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is a framework that includes policies,
standards, technology, and data necessary for spatial data discovery, access, and use.
SDI’s main components are data (spatial datasets), metadata (information about the
data), standards (guidelines ensuring data compatibility), services (such as data access
and distribution), and policies (legal and regulatory frameworks). SDI supports efficient
data sharing among organizations, enabling coordinated planning and informed decision-
making. It is essential in sectors that require access to up-to-date, accurate spatial data,
such as disaster management, urban planning, and environmental conservation, fostering
informed decision-making on a national and global scale.
7. Explain how interoperability enhances the use and functionality of GIS. Provide
examples to illustrate your answer.
Answer: Interoperability enables diverse GIS systems to exchange and use data
seamlessly, improving the functionality and scalability of GIS applications. For example,
in a disaster response scenario, interoperability allows emergency services to integrate
real-time data from various sources (like weather data, traffic information, and
demographic data) across different platforms, facilitating timely, data-driven responses.
In environmental monitoring, interoperability enables organizations to combine satellite
imagery, sensor data, and historical datasets to analyze changes in land cover across
platforms. By supporting data and system compatibility, interoperability enables richer
analysis, reduces data redundancy, and allows for a more efficient use of resources across
sectors.

UNIT 5

2-Mark Questions with Answers

1. What is the purpose of import/export functions in GIS?

Answer: Import/export functions in GIS allow the transfer of spatial and attribute data
between different systems or formats, ensuring data compatibility and usability across
platforms.
2. What does raster to vector conversion mean in GIS?
Answer: Raster to vector conversion is the process of transforming raster data (grid-
based) into vector data (point, line, and polygon features), which enables analysis and
editing in a vector-based GIS.
3. Explain vector to raster conversion in GIS.
Answer: Vector to raster conversion transforms vector data into a raster grid format,
 where spatial features are represented as cells or pixels, often used for overlaying with
other raster datasets.
4. Define map compilation in GIS.
Answer: Map compilation in GIS is the process of gathering, selecting, and integrating
spatial data to produce a final map, often tailored for specific analysis or presentation
needs.
5. What is multimedia in the context of GIS?
Answer: Multimedia in GIS refers to the integration of various media types, such as
images, videos, audio, and animations, to enhance spatial data visualization and user
interaction.
6. How does enterprise GIS differ from desktop GIS?
Answer: Enterprise GIS is designed for large-scale, multi-user environments with
centralized data management, while desktop GIS is tailored for individual users or small-
scale projects, typically running on a single computer.
7. What is distributed GIS?
Answer: Distributed GIS refers to a GIS framework where data processing and storage
are spread across multiple locations or servers, enabling remote data access and
collaborative analysis.
8. Why is data management important in GIS?
Answer: Data management in GIS is crucial for organizing, storing, updating, and
ensuring the quality of spatial data, which supports reliable and efficient analysis and
decision-making.
9. What is a common format for exporting raster data from GIS?
Answer: A common format for exporting raster data from GIS is the GeoTIFF (.tif),
which supports georeferencing and can store spatial metadata.
10. What role does map output play in GIS?
Answer: Map output in GIS is essential for visualizing and sharing spatial analysis
results, enabling users to communicate spatial information effectively in printed or digital
formats.

Extended Questions with Answers

1. Explain the import/export process in GIS and discuss its importance in data
interoperability.
Answer: The import/export process in GIS involves converting data from one format to
another to facilitate sharing and use across different GIS systems and applications.
Importing allows users to bring external data into their GIS environment, while exporting
enables data to be shared with other systems or software. This process is crucial for
interoperability, as different GIS platforms may use various data formats. Standard
formats like Shapefile, GeoJSON, and GeoTIFF support widespread compatibility,
allowing seamless data exchange and ensuring that data retains its spatial integrity and
attributes across platforms.
2. Describe the differences between raster and vector data models. Provide examples
of when each model is preferred in GIS.
 Answer: Raster data represents spatial information as a grid of cells, each with a value,
making it suitable for continuous data, like elevation or temperature. Vector data
represents spatial features as points, lines, or polygons, ideal for discrete data such as
road networks or land parcels. Raster data is preferred for environmental modeling, like
analyzing rainfall patterns, due to its capacity to represent gradients. Vector data is
favored in applications requiring precise feature boundaries, like cadastral mapping or
transportation networks, as it maintains detailed shapes and topology.
3. What are the steps involved in raster to vector conversion, and what are some
common challenges?
Answer: Raster to vector conversion involves identifying edges or features in the raster
grid, simplifying and smoothing those features, and then converting them into points,
lines, or polygons. Common challenges include handling complex or noisy data, which
can result in inaccurate or overly complex vector shapes. Simplifying features without
losing detail, dealing with pixel-based limitations, and ensuring topological correctness
are also major challenges. Advanced techniques, such as thresholding and edge detection,
can improve conversion quality.
4. Discuss the importance of data output in GIS and the factors to consider when
designing map outputs.
Answer: Data output in GIS is essential for presenting spatial analysis results in a clear
and accessible format. When designing map outputs, factors to consider include the
map’s purpose, audience, data accuracy, and layout (including scale, symbols, colors, and
labels). Effective map outputs should balance visual appeal with functionality, ensuring
clarity and ease of interpretation. For example, thematic maps may focus on color
schemes to show data trends, while topographic maps emphasize accurate feature
representation for navigation.
5. Explain the role of multimedia in enhancing GIS applications and provide examples
of its applications.
Answer: Multimedia enhances GIS by adding interactive elements like images, audio,
video, and animations, which enrich user engagement and understanding. In tourism GIS,
multimedia can provide photos and videos of attractions, while in disaster management,
real-time video feeds can enhance situational awareness. Multimedia also plays a role in
urban planning, where 3D models and animations of proposed developments help
stakeholders visualize changes.
6. Compare and contrast enterprise GIS and desktop GIS in terms of functionality,
data management, and user access.
Answer: Enterprise GIS is designed for large organizations, offering centralized data
management, multi-user access, and the ability to handle large datasets across distributed
networks. It supports integration with databases and is often accessible via web-based
interfaces, facilitating collaboration. Desktop GIS is a standalone system, focused on
individual use or smaller projects, with a more straightforward interface and typically
limited multi-user support. Enterprise GIS requires robust IT infrastructure, while
desktop GIS is more accessible and suited for smaller-scale analyses and personal
projects.
7. Discuss the concept and benefits of distributed GIS, including an example of its
application.
Answer: Distributed GIS is a networked approach where data storage, processing, and
 user access are spread across multiple servers or locations, enhancing scalability, data
sharing, and collaborative capabilities. It allows remote access to data and resources,
which is beneficial for large-scale projects with geographically dispersed teams. An
example is in environmental monitoring, where real-time sensor data from multiple
locations can be aggregated, processed, and analyzed through a distributed GIS, allowing
for timely environmental assessments.
8. Explain the vector to raster conversion process and discuss situations where this
conversion is beneficial in GIS.
Answer: Vector to raster conversion involves assigning vector data (points, lines, or
polygons) to a grid format, where each cell represents a spatial attribute. This is
beneficial in GIS for analysis requiring consistent cell-based data, such as overlay
analysis with other raster datasets. It’s useful in applications like habitat suitability
modeling, where land cover data (vector) needs to be combined with elevation data
(raster). This conversion allows for grid-based calculations and easier integration of
different data types in spatial modeling.
9. Describe the challenges of data management in GIS and explain methods to
overcome them.
Answer: GIS data management faces challenges including data redundancy, version
control, data integration, and quality assurance. Managing large datasets also requires
significant storage and processing capacity. To overcome these challenges, organizations
can implement centralized databases, metadata standards, and version control systems to
track changes. Using standardized data formats and interoperability protocols, along with
regular data quality checks, ensures data remains accurate, consistent, and accessible.
10. Discuss the importance of map compilation in GIS and the key elements involved in
creating an effective compiled map.
Answer: Map compilation is critical for synthesizing spatial information into a cohesive
and user-friendly product. Key elements include selecting relevant data, ensuring
geographic accuracy, choosing appropriate symbols and colors, and arranging map
elements like legends, scale bars, and titles. Effective map compilation requires a clear
understanding of the map’s purpose and audience. An effective compiled map not only
represents spatial data accurately but also communicates insights clearly, aiding in
decision-making across fields like urban planning, environmental management, and
public health.