Geographic Information Systems and Science

Chapter 1 - Systems, science, and study

These highlights are meant to be referred to as you read the Longley et al text.

As you begin to read this big book take a few minutes to examine its structure:

How many levels are used in the table of contents (ToC)?
How many deeper levels are used in the chapters themselves?
Note that each chapter begins with its own ToC,
What kind of extra information is included in the 'front matter' and after the last chapter (e.g. an appendix)?

Think about how you're going to use this book:

Read it from cover-to-cover or choose chapters of interest
Refer to it later for definitions or explanations of techniques
Find relevant references from the ends of the chapters, or URLs

1.1 Introduction: why does GIS matter?

This first chapter is a broad overview of what's to come. You might consider reading Chapter 21: Epilog as another introduction. If you're new to GIS, try to read it carefully. If any terms are new, look them up in the index - or send the class a question!

Throughout this course think about the 3 fundamental dimensions of analysis:

S	SPACE	Where is something? OR What is happening at a location?
T	TIME	When did something occur? OR What is happening at at given time?
P	PHENOMENON	What kind of thing OR event are we analyzing?

GIS is a key tool in this understanding, but the science is less skilled at the analysis of time!

Figure 1.4 shows the back of Goodchild and Longley's heads - Mike's face is in Figure 1.15.

1.2 Data, information, evidence, knowledge, wisdom

Think about a hierarchy (Table 1.2):
DECISIONS
    KNOWLEDGE
        INFORMATION
            DATA
with each level built upon the one below. This course (and all the courses I have ever taught) is very much about turning data into knowledge. WISDOM could be placed at the top of this list, say in reference to our environmental maturity, but this course will remain at the lower levels.

1.3 The science of problem solving

Page 15 refers to multiple-objective decisionmaking - this topic recurs in section 16.4.

1.4 The technology of problem solving

Table 1.3 reminds us of the blind men and the elephant - no two people will agree to a definition of GIS - see section 1.6

G	Geography, geographical, geospatial
I	Information, intelligence
S	Systems, science, studies, etc.

Figure 1.16 is a 'small scale' image of the major components. NOTE: I use the term 'small' in its cartographic sense - see Section 1 of the ArcGIS book.

I say that GIS is as old as mapping itself: and that's a history that stretches back millennia!

Because I was involved in programming a model of the transportation and development of the San Francisco Bay Area in 1968 (between marches on the streets of Berkeley!) I can claim to be among the GIS pioneers. This work continues, currently as the California urban futures model.

1.5 The business of GIS

Distinctions between public and private rapidly breakdown in any discourse, and GIS spans all realms.

The list of resources in Boxes 1.4-6 is useful - but rapidly changing.

1.6 GISystems, GIScience, and GIStudies

Box 1.7 is elaborated as GI S&T Body of Knowledge which I can send to you. Look at either list and see what interests you. Note that the chapters of the book are indicated.

1.7 GIS and geography

The course is as much about the science of geography as it is about GIS. There is no more efficient way to learn geography than by doing GIS!

Questions & Further reading

Look at these questions for new ideas - this chapter features a few URLs.

And always glance at the reading list - you may need to find a reference for your final project or other research.