gis

Background

Introduction to Topic

All data and every analysis we do in GIS has some uncertainty associated with it. These can include unreliability uncertainties (e.g. measurement error, resolution, etc.), and structural uncertainties (e.g. methodological choices). Sometimes those uncertainties matter and sometimes they don’t. That judgement call can only be made effectively when the purpose of the analysis is clearly articulated and the significance of uncertainty can be appropriately contextualized.

Learning Outcomes

Meets Course Learning Outcomes 2, 3 & 4.

Lecture Materials

Uncertainty in GIS

• 2011 Tuesday Lecture - 1 Slide per page

Geomorphic Change Detection

• 2011 Thursday Lecture - 2 Slides per page
• 2011 Thursday Lecture - 6 Slides per page

If you want to learn more about Geomorphic Change Detection see here, or download our software here..

---

Additional Resources

Some Good References

• Bolstad P. 2005. GIS fundamentals: A first text on geographic information systems. Eider Press, 620 pp. - See Chapter 14 on Data Standards and Data Quality
• Burrough PA and McDonnell RA. 1998. Principles of Geographical Information Systems: Spatial Information Systems and Geostatistics. Oxford University Press: Oxford, 333 pp. - See Chapters Nine (Errors and Quality Control) and Ten (Error Propagation in Numerical Modeling)
• Burrough P.A., van Rijn, R., and Rikken, M. 1996. Spatial Data Quality and Error Analysis Issues: GIS Functions and Environmental Modleing. In: GIS and Environmental Modeling, By Michael F. Goodchild, Louis T. Steyaert, Bradley O. Parks, Carol Johnston (Eds.), Wiley.
• Haining R. 2003. Spatial Data Analysis: Theory and Practice. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 432 pp. - See Chapter 4 on ‘Data quality: implications for spatial data analysis’
• Hall ST and Post CJ. 2009. Advanced GIS Exercise: Performing Error Analysis in ArcGIS ModelBuilder. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education. 38: 41-44.
• Taylor J. 1997. An Introduction to Error Analysis: the Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements, Second Edition. University Science Books: Sausalito, California, 327 pp.

Web Links:

• Error, Accuracy and Precision in GIS -* A very helpful series of webpages on the basics of errors, accuracy and precision in GIS maintained by **Kenneth E. Foote and Donald J. Huebner, The Geographer’s Craft Project, Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin. *
• Uncertainty Propagation in GIS - Curriculum developed by : Gerard B.M. Heuvelink, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Amsterdam.