Geographical information systems

Introduction

The conceptual framework of Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, allows to capture and analyze geographic data and spatial information easily and efficiently. Already decades ago their usefulness and popularity prompted companies as well as the open source community to develop high-level GIS software solutions, applicable to many disciplines and publicly accessible (QGIS is ahigh-level open-source tool, used in this course). 

GIS tools include plenty of possibilities to process, analyze and visualize quantitative as well as qualitative information typically used in research in the social sciences. This course will explain frequently used GIS techniques and demonstrate their applicability across the social sciences. With examples and with your own study cases, you will learn how to create new insights for your PhD research by combining geographic problems with GIS analytics.

Course information

ECTS: 2.5 
Number of sessions: 4
Hours per session: 3

Format and aim of course 

During four sessions the principal GIS techniques are taught and practiced during the lectures. Throughout the course real-world situations and your cases will be evaluated to design a GIS-based conceptualization of the research problem.

To decide if this course is appropriate for you, the following indicators should be applicable for your research problem:

• The problem of your research proposal has a spatial component (the research question includes phrases similar to near, next to, related to, in conjunction with, etc.)
• You research will make use of (secondary) quantitative data which is a relevant component in your data collection 
• The GIS analytics can answer a relevant part of your research problem 
• Visualization of results is considered as a valuable component in your research proposal 

If you are unsure whether the course has sufficient relevancy for your research proposal you can submit a summary of your research objectives and research questions in advance of the first session. The instructor can then confirm whether this course will cater to your specific needs.

Learning Objectives

• Explore and apply GIS capabilities, data models, forms of analysis, mapping concepts and data visualization based on examples and your own study cases.
• Identify and utilize suitable analysis methods, design adequate data collection strategies, define visualization techniques for your research method and adopt a GIS compliant communication of your results.
• Implement the abstraction process required to adapt the existing conceptualization and the operationalization of your study to a GIS-specific data and analysis framework.

Preparation instructions

• Bring your own laptop to all sessions.
• Install the latest long-term release (LTR) version of the open source QGIS software package.
• Contact the instructor well in advance of the course if you experience problems with the installation on your laptop.