ANALYTICAL METHODS (GISP EXAM) QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS

Quantitative revolution a paradigm shift that sought to develop a more rigorous and systematic methodology for the discipline of geography. ... The main claim for the _________ _________ is that it led to a shift from a descriptive (idiographic) geography to an empirical law-making (nomothetic) geography Overlay analysis A group of methodologies applied in optimal site selection or suitability modeling (identify the best or most preferred locations for a specific phenomenon). Can be vector ('what's on top of what') or raster (allows different weightings for the importance of different layers). For this type of analysis, vector tools = Identity, intersect, symmetrical difference, union, update. Raster tools = weighted overlay, weighted sum, single band map algebra, zonal statistics, combine. Overlay analysis methodology Methodology of this type of analysis is based on boolean logic: 1. Define problem 2. Break problem into submodels 3. Determine significant layers (may need to be created) 4. Reclassify or transform data within a layer (value scales of layers must lead to meaningful output, ie. dollars, distance, degrees) 5. Weight the input layers 6. Add or combine the layers 7. Analyze Spatial overlay Process of superimposing layers of geographic data that cover the same area to study the relationship between them Overlay Two or more features, layers or maps are superimposed to show relationships between features Erase Creates a feature class by overlaying the Input Features with the polygons of the Erase Features. Only those portions of the input features falling outside the erase features outside boundaries are copied to the output feature class. Identity Computes a geometric intersection of the input features and identity features. The input features or portions thereof that overlap identity features will get the attributes of those identity features.