Introduction to GIS, Thematic Mapping, and Spatial Analysis in Social Science: Research, Teaching and Outreach

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Introduction to GIS, Thematic Mapping, and
Spatial Analysis in Social Science Research,
Teaching and Outreach

• Robert Nash Parker
• Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies and
  Department of Sociology
• University of California Riverside

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GIS Transform and Enhance Social Research

• Dissemination and Communication
• Classroom Policy Scientific Communication
• Facilitate Construction of more complex and
  useful research databases
• Ability to link data to context
• Combine traditional and Spatial Data
• Construct more interesting hypotheses
• Spatial Modeling Tools for hypothesis testing in
  Multivariate Frameworks

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Dissemination and Communication

• Maps provide visually rich template for data
  dissemination and presentation
• Complex analytical maps can convey multivariate
  information in a concise manner
• Impact of information is enhanced for policy and
  scientific audiences
• Classroom examples are powerful learning tools

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Dissemination Example 1 State Capitols

• Data has traditionally been displayed in Tables

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Using A Map Instead has several advantages

• Conveys the information in a visually attractive
  manner
• Shows additional information concerning the
  spatial relationships that are not easily
  perceived in table form
• Use of Color can enhance the dissemination of the
  information

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Example 1A State Capitols
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Example 1A State Capitols

• Color used to display Census Regions
• Map shows spatial relationship among the states
• Use of Symbols can further enhance information
  content and transmission of another variable

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Example 2 Classifying Data

• Maps can show dramatic differences depending on
  the classification and subclassification of data
• Youth Contacts with Police versus Youth Gang
  Contacts

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Example 2 Classifying Youth Violence-All Youth
Police Contacts
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Example 2a Gang Youth Contacts
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Example 2a Classification

• Contrast is Sharp on Thematic Map Comparison
• Spatial Patterns Immediately and Clearly evident
• Additional Detail from Tabular presentation is
  harder to comprehend in Presentation setting

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Example 3 Impact in Presentation and
Dissemination-Youth Violence in Riverside 2005
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Example 4 Multivariate Information Displayed on
the Map Youth Probation and Youth Violence
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Potential to Enhance Scientific Dissemination

• Ability to display spatial statistical analyses
• Powerful Tools such as animation and Three
  Dimensional mapping now accessible

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Example 5A Two Dimensional Map of Inequality
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Example 5B 3D Map of Inequality
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The Map is the Booby Prize of GIS (J. Dangermond?)

• Database capabilities make GIS an effective tool
  for policy and research
• Ability to use Geocoding to combine different
  data types with common spatial links is the key
  ability

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Example 6 Multiple Sources linked on a single
map City of New Orleans and Katrina Flood Waters
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Bringing Multiple Sources Together Geocoding

• Requirements
• Address reference data
• Events with recorded addresses
• GIS software
• Patience and Practice

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Example 7 Geocodable Events
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PIN MAPS MADE EASY
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WARS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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USING SYMBOLS TO ENHANCE THE MAP
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COMBINING MAP TYPES FOR ADDED INSIGHT
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EXPLORING MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS
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Understanding and Testing for Spatial Impact

• What are the consequences of Spatially Influenced
  data?
• Variance of estimates is too small
• Statistical Tests too large False Positives
• How can you tell if you have Spatially impacted
  Data?
• Calculating Spatial Statistics
• Morans I Anselins Local Moran I Getis-Ord
  Hotspots

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Multivariate Spatial Models for Hypothesis Testing

• Such models are needed to support research
  applications of GIS
• Database capabilities link different data sources
  and types to build more useful data and generate
  more interesting hypotheses and tests

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Example 8 Spatial Modeling
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Example 8 W or the Connection Matrix
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Conclusions

• GIS currently used in about 10 of Social
  Research
• A great deal of Enhancement to Social Research is
  possible with GIS
• Dissemination, Class room use, and scientific
  communications will also be enhanced
• Software should become more user friendly as
  capabilities recognized and demand increases

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IMAGES FROM

• GIS and Spatial Analysis for the Social Sciences
  Coding, Mapping, and Modeling
• ROBERT NASH PARKER
• EMILY K. ASENCIO
• Routledge Press, 2008

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