GIS Resources For Journalists

Outline What is GIS? Why use GIS? How are journalists using GIS? Data driven journalism What do you need to make and share maps Data Software Online Apps Some coding skills (python, html)

What does GIS stand for? Hardware and Software Data Mapping Standards GIS Savvy Users GIS G eographic I nformation S ystems often defined as a computerized database management system for capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data allows the user to create visual displays using tabular information.

GIS is in reality nothing more than a large database with a geographic component. The power behind GIS is in the attributes attached to the features...allows for more complex analysis based on more than just geographic location.

How GIS works GIS breaks anything that has a geographic location into: Vector Data: Points - GPS points, address points, treeocations, etc. Lines – rivers, railroads, streets, corridors, etc. Polygons – political boundaries, lakes, building footprints, etc. Image Source:

Why Use GIS/Maps Layer the different datasets to do geographic analysis (analysis based on geographic location)  Map Where Things Are – Where is the Ukraine located?  Map Quantities – The total number of acres devoted to coal mining in the state of West Virginia.  Map Densities - Population per square mile.  Find What’s Inside - How many historic homes are located within a proposed neighborhood rehabilitation zone.  Find What’s Nearby - How many parks/recreation areas are there within a ¼ mile from my house?  Map Change – Urban Sprawl, Rainforest depletion Source:

Random GIS Fact In 1854 Dr. John Snow analyzed geographic data to determine the source of a cholera epidemic in London. The earliest recorded uses of Geographic Information techniques The source was a contaminated well.

First, You need: 1. data (your own or someone else’s) 2. software to filter and map complex data 3. apps to visualize and share the map with others Making a Map

Data What makes data “spatial”? Must have a geographic component Address Lat/Long coordinates Tied to a location such as a state, city, region, service area, census block. When should you create and share maps of your data? Only if it enhances the data and makes it easier for users to understand and comprehend!! A picture is worth a thousand words!

Maps need base or “reference” data helps those viewing the maps figure out exactly what and where they are looking at. Orthophotography Streams Watershed Boundaries Jurisdictional Boundaries Streets …..and many more datasets, such as parcels, zoning boundaries, contours, soils, etc. Source:

Your data GPS points Georeferencing - a historic map or image Geocoding addresses Heads-up-digitizing Analysis Tools with GIS Software Mobile Mapping – cellphones, tablets Upload from a database (Excel, Access, etc.) Stream from Twitter or other social media

Government data sources Data.gov ARDA – the association of Religion Data Archives Census.gov CIA World Factbook Eurostat Global Health Observatory Harvard Dataverse Network HUD.gov International Monetary Fund (IMF) Data NOAA IndianaMap (or other state GIS data collection) UNdata – United Nations Statistics Division Community Commons

You can use a GIS Software Program or Online Applications. The number of options is daunting! You have data, now to analyze and create the map…

GIS Software

Esri ArcGIS Desktop

Quantum GIS (QGIS) Open Source GIS- which means FREE! Runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, Windows and Android. Adds spatial support to the PostgreSQL database program. Allows you to write queries based on Geographic location. QGIS can connect to a PostGIS database for viewing and editing free of charge. PostGIS

Map Maker Gratis – free GIS for Windows Fully functional map production program Doesn’t have an online map sharing component Map Maker

Visualizing and Sharing Your Data

Google Maps

Google Earth

Tableau Public Free data visualization tool y y

MapBox Powered by Open StreetMap Foursquare Evernote Financial Times Pinterest Source: mapbox.com/showcase,

ArcGIS Online Source:

ESRI Community Analyst and BAO Source: ts-maps/bao-variables

QUESTIONS? Contact: Angela Gibson GIS Specialist University Libraries GRMC (BL224)