Scribd
Upload
10 views28 pages

Topic02 GIS Basics

The document discusses GIS models, specifically the differences between vector and raster data representations. It explains the object-based and field-based approaches to geographic space, the characteristics of vector and raster data models, and the importance of map scale and data quality. Additionally, it covers concepts such as generalization, source scale, and evaluating data quality through various aspects like geometric and thematic accuracy.

Uploaded by

Asad Yousaf
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
10 views28 pages

Topic02 GIS Basics

The document discusses GIS models, specifically the differences between vector and raster data representations. It explains the object-based and field-based approaches to geographic space, the characteristics of vector and raster data models, and the importance of map scale and data quality. Additionally, it covers concepts such as generalization, source scale, and evaluating data quality through various aspects like geometric and thematic accuracy.

Uploaded by

Asad Yousaf
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 28

GIS Models:

Vector vs. Raster


An image of Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
A data set representing the elevation changes around Bear Lake
A map representing the trail around Bear Lake
Representation of Geographic Space
• Object-based approach:
– It treats geographic space as populated by discrete and
identifiable objects.
– Two classes of spatial objects:
• Exact objects with well-defined boundaries
• Inexact objects with fuzzy boundaries
– Spatial objects are often represented as points, lines, and
polygons.

OSU Campus

Building Building Parking

Stadium
Building
Representation of Geographic Space (cont.)
• Field-based approach:
– It treats geographic space as populated by one or more spatial
phenomena, which are real-world features that vary continuously
over space with no specific extent.
– Spatial phenomena are represented as surfaces in the forms of
either regular tessellations or irregular tessellations (e.g.,
Triangulated Irregular Network – TIN).

regular tessellations

irregular tessellations
Approaches to representing the real world
Vector Data Model
• A vector data model uses sets of coordinates and associated
attribute data to define discrete objects.
• Three basic types of vector objects: points, lines, and
polygons.
• A feature class is a collection of
similar features stored together.
• Needs to be one geometry type
only, no mix of multiple types of
geometries.
• Needs to be the same type of
thing.
Vector Data Model (cont.)
• Location information of the
discrete objects is defined by
x-y coordinate pairs.

• An attribute table is used to


store non-spatial information
related to the feature.

• The location information and


attributes of an entity is
connected via a unique ID
assigned to the entity.
Raster Data Model
• It uses a regular grid cell or pixel to cover the space.
• The value in each grid cell corresponds to the characteristic
of a spatial phenomenon at the cell location.
• It is better for representing continuous phenomenon.
Vector vs. Raster
• Practice question:
Which data model will be a better approach to presenting
each of the following entities or geographic phenomena?

Park Rainfall River Slope Temperature Universities

Vector Raster
Vector or Raster?

elevation
May Layers
• Maps are often
constructed from multiple
data sets.

• Each data set is typically


called a layer once it is
placed into a map.

• A map layer can show


either vector data or
raster data.
Map Scale
Map Scale
• Map Scale is defined as “the ratio of map distance to
ground distance”
– e.g., 1:24,000 indicates “one unit on the map is
equivalent to 24,000 units on the ground”
• Three common ways to express map scale:
– Representative fraction (RF): e.g., 1:1,000 or 1:63,360
– Statement scale: e.g., “One centimeter to one
kilometer” or “One inch to one mile”
– Bar scale: A linear graphic scale drawn on a map
Map Scale (cont.)
• Practice question:
In a map with a scale of 1:100,000, what is the ground
distance represented by a map unit of 2.5 cm?

x = 250,000 cm or 2.5 km
Large vs. Small Scale Maps
• The value of representative fraction or ratio
determines whether a map is a large or small scale
map.
– e.g., a 1:24,000-scale map is considered large-scale relative
to a 1:100,000-scale map

Larger-scale maps cover a Smaller-scale maps cover a


smaller area on the ground, larger area on the ground, but
but can provide more details. provide less details due to
generalization.
Generalization
• Generalization is used to simplify map features for
clear display.
– Features are represented
with simpler geometry:
• Shape details are simplified.
• Polygons may become lines or
points.
– Multiple features may be
fused into a single one.
– Small unimportant features
may be omitted.
Source Scale
• Source scale is the scale at which data are
captured.
• Although GIS data may be presented at any scale,
it is best to display it at scales close to the source
scale.

Two different data sets of the same


objects may not align, especially
when the source scale is different,
as for these Oregon counties from
two different data sources
Scale Range
• A scale range concept is used to reconcile the
issue between the fixed source scale of the GIS
data and interactive display of the data in GIS.
• A scale range specifies the range of scales for
which the display of the data is valid so that it will
only be shown at those scales.
Data Quality
Data Quality
• No absolute quality standard exists.
• Quality is defined as the fitness of a data set for a
particular purpose.
• One reasonable choice of data quality level is to
go for “the minimum level of data quality that will
meet your needs.”
• A user has ethical and legal responsibility to
determine whether a data set is sufficient for its
intended use.
Evaluating Data Quality
• The quality of GIS data set can be evaluated
through the following aspects:
– Geometric accuracy
– Thematic accuracy
– Resolution
– Precision
– Logical consistency
Geometric Accuracy
• Geometric accuracy, also known as positional
accuracy, describes how close the x-y values of a data
set correspond to the actual locations on the earth’s
surface.
– It depends on the level of
error in original source.
– Additional errors may be
incurred or propagated
during processing.
• It is assessed by
comparing the data to
another data set with
known high accuracy.
Source: GoogleEarth and TeleAtlas
Thematic Accuracy
• Thematic accuracy, also known as attribute
accuracy, refers to how accurate the attributes
are.
– Some attribute
values can be
obtained easily.

– It is difficult to
determine the
exact value when
features have
fuzzy boundaries.
Resolution
• It refers to the sampling interval at which data
are acquired.
• Spatial sampling resolution
– Distance between GPS points along a road.
– Size of pixel for elevation or satellite image raster.
• Thematic data resolution
– How fine was the measuring scale?
– Were the data classified after measurement?
• Temporal data resolution
– How frequently were data sampled?
– Daily, monthly, every decade?
Precision
• Precision has two meanings in science:
– number of significant digits in a measurement
– statistical variability of a repeated measurement
• High precision does NOT necessarily mean high
accuracy.

high average low average high average low average


accuracy accuracy accuracy accuracy
high precision high precision low precision low precision
Logical Consistency
• Logical consistency assesses how well a data set
represents the real-world relationships.
– Are common boundaries identical?
– Do roads actually connect?
– Do voting district and county boundaries align?

Source: Esri

You might also like