Geography 409/849 Advanced Spatial Analysis & Modelling Page 1

J. M. Piwowar 2013-01-08

Geography 409/849
Advanced Spatial Anal ysis & Modelling
Winter
2013
Instructor:
Joe Piwowar
email: joe.piwowar@uregina.ca
phone: 585-5273
Office Hours: CL 340
I am around a lot just drop in or email me to
make a specific appointment.
Meeting Times: 2:30 5:30 M
CL 330.2
Introduction
A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for automating geographic concepts. At its most basic
level it can help us to explain distributions and make decisions. At an advanced level it can help us
understand complex spatial processes. Geographers (and others) use GISs to help them understand,
describe, and predict how things are arranged in the real world.
All too often we produce a map from a GIS and conclude, "Gee, it looks like there is a pattern in the
data," but we struggle to attach any certainty to our analysis. The real question we want answered is
most likely, "Is there a significant pattern?" The methods developed in this course will help you answer
this question. The aim of this course is to enable you to build your own toolbox of spatial analysis
techniques to investigate spatial processes. By the end of this course, you will feel comfortable at
tackling a wide-range of spatial analyses using GIS and remote sensing.
Required Text
de Smith, M.J., Goodchild, M.F., and Longley, P.A. Geospatial Analysis - A Comprehensive Guide to
Principles, Techniques and Software Tools. Winchelsea: The Winchelsea Press.
Available online at www.spatialanalysisonline.com.
Recommended Texts
Clarke, K.P., Parks, B.O., and Crane, M.P. (eds.), 2002. Geographic Information Systems and
Environmental Modeling. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall (on reserve in the Map Library).
DeMers, M.N., 2002. GIS Modeling in Raster. New York: Wiley (can be borrowed directly from me).
Hardisty, J., D.M. Taylor, and S.E. Metcalf, 1993. Computerised Environmental Modelling: A Practical
Introduction Using Excel. Chichester: Wiley (can be borrowed directly from me).
Harris, R., Sleight, P., and Webber, R., 2005. Geodemographics, GIS and Neighbourhood Targeting.
Chichester: Wiley (on reserve in the Map Library).
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J. M. Piwowar 2013-01-08
Kelly, R.E.J., N.A. Drake, S.L. Barr, 2004. Spatial Modelling of the Terrestrial Environment. Chichester:
Wiley (on reserve in the Map Library).
Maguire, D.J., M. Batty, and M.F. Goodchild (eds.), 2005. GIS, Spatial Analysis, and Modeling. Redlands,
ESRI Press (on reserve in the Map Library).
O'Sullivan, D. and Unwin, D.J., 2003. Geographic Information Analysis. Hoboken: Wiley (can be
borrowed directly from me).
Stillwell, J. and G. Clarke, 2004. Applied GIS and Spatial Analysis. Chichester: Wiley (can be borrowed
directly from me).
Wang, F., 2006. Quantitative Methods and Applications in GIS. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Coursework & Grading
Lab Assignments 20% (4 x 5%)
Literature Reviews
A review of a published research paper where advanced spatial analysis techniques
were used.
20% (4 x 5%)
Spatial Analysis Tutorial
A chance for you to learn about a spatial analysis topic of interest to you and teach it to
the rest of the class.
20%
Project*
A project demonstrating the development and application of advanced spatial analysis
techniques to address a geographic problem.
*This is a core course activity: your Project must receive a passing grade for you to
receive a passing grade for the course.
40%
You are encouraged to work together to solve course related problems and issues. All submitted work,
however, must be original (i.e. using your own words), unless otherwise specified.
Literature Reviews
Prepare annotated reviews of 4 papers from refereed journals that describe GIS procedure(s) used in a
project that interests you. All the papers should be focused on a similar problem and this will be the
same problem that you will be using for your GIS project. For each paper you should include:
A full bibliographic reference
The objectives of the research
A description of the data used
A description of the analysis procedure, presented as an ordered list or a flowchart
A summary of the results
The review of each paper should not be more than 1 or 2 pages long. Please submit your reviews to me
by email by the dates listed in the Schedule.
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Spatial Analysis Tutorial
For an advanced spatial analysis topic that is of interest to you, learn enough about the topic so that you
can apply it for yourself, and develop an introductory tutorial that emphasizes how it can be used.
Your topic can be related to your course project (although this isn't a requirement). Please discuss your
topic with me before you adopt it.
Tutorials will be graded in consideration of your program level (Bachelors/Masters/Doctoral), the level
of difficulty of the subject material, and how well you clearly explained it.
1. Submit a 1 or 2 page write-up that includes:
Some background information for your topic. Use the course text or other sources; be sure
you provide proper citations.
At least 1 reference to an academic journal article where the topic was used.
Applications (when would someone want to use this topic?). Try to include both natural
science and social science applications.
Required input data.
Limitations.
Output examples.
You should distribute 1 copy of your write-up to each member of the class.
2. Prepare and deliver a tutorial to the class that demonstrates your topic. Your tutorial should:
Take about 1 hour.
Should focus more on application than theory.
Include a demonstration of your topic and a hands-on exercise.
Be clear and simple to follow.
Include sample data from Regina and/or Saskatchewan.
Learning Resources
A great way to learn a new spatial analysis topic is to see how someone else has applied it. You can
look for some online tutorial material at:
ArcGIS Training - http://training.esri.com
ESRI Canada Education Resources - http://www.esricanada.com/en/content/education-resources
User-Contributed ArcGIS Lessons - http://edcommunity.esri.com/arclessons/arclessons.cfm
United States Geological Survey - http://education.usgs.gov
Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center - http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu

NB: If you use one of these lessons, I require you to develop your class tutorial using a different data set
from what was used in the original instructions.
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Tutorial Topics
Here are some ideas that you can use to base your tutorial on. Some topics are well-defined, while
others are quite broad. In the latter case, you can select a sub-topic for your tutorial. You are also free
to choose your own topic (but be sure to clear it with me first).
Linear Referencing
Location-Allocation
Vehicle GPS Navigation (Network Analysis)
Drainage Systems and Watersheds (Hydrology)
Aquifer Analysis (Groundwater)
Modelling Solar Radiation
Geographically-Weighted Regression
Hotspot Analysis
Temporal Analysis (Tracking Analyst)
Gridding and Surface Interpolation (Geostatistical Analyst)
Viewsheds
Cellular Automata
Geosimulation
Principal Components / Cluster / Factor Analysis
Artificial Neural Networks
Central Place Theory
Universal Soil Loss Equation
Gravity Modelling
TIN Modelling
3D Visualization
Public Participation GIS
Home Range Analysis
GeoWeb / GeoSpatial Web 2.0
Health GIS / Epidemiology
RS GIS Integration
Cartographic Representation
Least-Cost Path Analysis
Retail Location Strategies
Others.


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Project
Develop an advanced spatial analysis problem and work it through to completion. You are to find data
to support your investigation, design an analysis strategy, and implement your solution. Projects will be
graded in consideration of your program level (Bachelors/Masters/Doctoral), the level of difficulty of the
subject material, and how well you implemented it.
GEOG 409: You may work on this project individually or in groups of not more than 2.
GEOG 849: You must work on your project individually.
Assignment
1. Prepare your results as a PowerPoint presentation documenting your objectives, data, analysis
procedures, and results. You should be able to present it in about 20 minutes (i.e. it should not
have more that about 15 slides).
2. Prepare a research paper describing your project. In your paper you should:
Introduce what you were trying to accomplish.
Review of some previously published work on this topic.
Describe the data and study area.
Describe the analysis approach (include a flowchart).
Present results of your analysis (maps, graphs, or tables where relevant).
Interpret your results.
Discuss the assumptions and limitations of your work.
Present a summary and conclusions.
Provide suggestions for future research.
A research paper that earns top marks will be one that has the potential to be submitted to
a refereed journal for publication.
GIS Project Implementation Process
1) Determine the objectives of the project
a) Identify the problem to solve
b) Break down the problem into measurable criteria
c) Determine data requirements
2) Build the database and prepare the data for analysis
a) Identify and obtain relevant data
b) Add spatial and attribute data to the database; derive new attributes, if necessary
c) Manage and modify the data; re-project the data, if necessary
d) Create a data dictionary that includes for each data set: data source; date of collection;
projection; attributes that you use, their definitions, and their value ranges
3) Perform the analysis
a) Determine methods and sequence of operations
b) Process the data
c) Evaluate and interpret the results
d) Refine the analysis as needed to generate alternatives
4) Present the results
a) Create final products for your intended audience
b) Document your results
c) Create metadata for your new data files
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Schedule
Date Topic Assignments
January 7 Course Introduction
Why are Spatial Data Special?
Basic Spatial Analysis Tools
Review:
Getting Started with GIS (for ArcGIS 10.1)
available at http://training.esri.com
Any time before February 15
you must book a meeting(s)
with me (send me an email
to request a meeting time)
to discuss (i) your project
idea; and (ii) your spatial
analysis tutorial topic
14 The Spatial Analysis Process
Lab 1: Attribute and Spatial Relationships

21 Spatial Analysis of Point Data
Lab 2: Point Pattern Analysis
Lab 1 due
28 Spatial Analysis of Linear Data
Lab 3: Line Pattern Analysis
Lab 2 due
February 4 Spatial Analysis of Area Data
Lab 4: Aggregating Polygons
Lab 3 due
Project Proposals due
11 Spatial Autocorrelation Lab 4 due
18 Reading Week
25 Spatial Analysis Tutorials Literature Review 1 due
March 4 Spatial Analysis Tutorials Literature Review 2 due
11 Spatial Analysis Tutorials Literature Review 3 due
18 Spatial Analysis Tutorials Literature Review 4 due
25 Spatial Analysis Tutorials
April 1 Project Presentations Project presentations
8 Project Presentations Project presentations
26 Project Reports / Research papers due
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NAME: MARK:

/5
LI TERATURE REVI EW GRADI NG RUBRI C

Paper Title:

Review (5 marks)

A full bibliographic reference
The objectives of the research
A description of the data used
An ordered list or flowchart that documents the analysis procedure
A summary of the results


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NAME: MARK:

/20
SPATI AL ANALYSI S TUTORI AL GRADI NG RUBRI C

Topic:

Demonstration (10 marks)

Length (about 1 hour)
Focus more on application than theory
Include a demonstration of your topic and a hands-on exercise
Include sample data from Regina and/or Saskatchewan
Clear and simple to follow


Description (10 marks)

Includes background information
Has at least 1 academic journal reference, properly cited.
List of applications. Try to include both natural science and social science
applications
Required input data
Limitations
Output examples



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NAME: MARK:

/40
PROJ ECT GRADI NG RUBRI C

Class:
Presentation (5 marks)

Objectives
Data
Analysis procedures
Results
Interpretation
Clarity & timing
Research Paper:
Introduction and Background (5 marks)

Introduction to what you were trying to accomplish.
What has been done by others?
Objectives
Description of the study area.
Methods (10 marks)

Description of data used in the analysis.
Description of analysis approach.
Flowchart.
Results - Graphics (10 marks)

Results of analysis (images, maps, graphs, or tables where relevant).
Results - Documentation (5 marks)

Interpretation of results.
Statement of limitations.
Suggestions for further research.
General Presentation (5 marks)

Neat and concise reporting.
Free from spelling and grammar errors.
Organization Report is well laid-out using appropriate sections.
Can this paper be submitted to an academic journal for publication?