Читать книгу GIS Research Methods - Steven J. Steinberg - Страница 48

As a research tool, GIS provides a wide range of opportunities for examining relationships in space, often by incorporating additional information not traditionally considered in research methods. As GIS continues to become more accessible to nonexpert users, there are a wide range of new and creative opportunities in research. As with any new tool, GIS can be used incorrectly and provide misleading results. Any researcher familiar with standard statistical analysis software can relate to this concept. Use of the tool is not simply a matter of collecting a dataset and pushing buttons in the software. Good research necessitates collection of appropriate data in an appropriate fashion and then conducting an intelligent, well-thought-out analysis that makes sense for the hypothesis or question being addressed.

The following chapters discuss several of the essential concepts all users should keep in mind when developing a dataset for analysis in a GIS. They also address the major GIS data formats, along with their strengths, weaknesses, and applications. With these few but important pieces of information, you will be better prepared to use GIS as a tool in your own research applications, while avoiding many of the common pitfalls new users of these tools encounter. Chapter 2 examines spatial conceptualization and implementation, which are central to any research methods approach.