Applied GIS and network analysis for social science applications

Date:

01/03/2018 - 02/03/2018

Organised by:

The University of Manchester

Presenter:

Dr Andy Newing

Level:

Intermediate (some prior knowledge)

Contact:

Claire Spencer, 0161 275 4579, claire.spencer@manchester.ac.uk

Map:

View in Google Maps  (M13 9PL)

Venue:


Basement lab
Cathie Marsh Institute
Humanities Bridgeford street
University of Manchester

Description:

This two-day course uses a series of accessible hands-on practical activities and short lectures to introduce participants to sophisticated spatial data analysis tools within a GIS. On day 1 we work with vector data (points, lines, polygons) to apply a range of spatial analytic and visualisation techniques used for applied research within the social sciences. On day 2 we also introduce network analysis and focus on measures of proximity and access, construction of service areas and the evaluation of facility or service locations. All activities are structured around a series of research questions which could be applied in many research contexts.

We use ESRIs ArcGIS industry standard proprietary GIS software, widely used by the research community and commercial sector. The data used relate to individuals, households and neighbourhoods (small areas) and a drawn from sources typically used within the social sciences (including census, survey and commercial data). We emphasise that the approaches, questions, challenges and operational decisions are generic to these kinds of geographic analyses.

 

The course runs over two days and is organised as follows:

Thursday 1st March – sessions will run from 11am until 5pm.

Friday 2nd March – sessions will run from 9am until 3pm.

Session 1: Refresh knowledge of spatial data and ArcGIS (handling spatial and attribute data, layering, select by attribute, select by location, creating thematic maps).

Session 2: Spatial analysis – aggregation, joins and relates, overlay and proximity, hot spot analysis.

Session 3: Network analysis – working with (road) networks in ArcGIS, calculating origin-destination matrices and measuring proximity.

Session 4: Evaluating access and determining ‘optimum’ locations. 

Discussion / consultation session: There are opportunities for users to outline their own work and to ask for comments and ideas – participants are also welcome to bring along their own spatial data. 

 

Prerequisites

Participants should have some familiarity with spatial data (e.g. working with small area population data or basic mapping using a desktop or web based GIS or visualisation tool), though this may not have been gained using ArcGIS.

 

Pre-course reading and preparation

Participants may find sections of the following text useful as pre-course reading in order to familiarise themselves with GIS and spatial analysis terminology, concepts and applications.

 BALLAS, D., CLARKE, G. P., FRANKLIN, R. S. & NEWING, A. 2017. GIS and the Social Sciences: Theory and Applications, Abingdon, Routledge.

There is not an expectation or assumption, however, that participants will be familiar with the content of the above textbook prior to the course. It is more likely to be a valuable resource post-course, supporting students in applying techniques learnt using their own datasets and research questions. 

Cost:

• £30 per day for UK/EU registered students
• £60 per day for staff at UK/EU academic institutions, UK/EU Research Councils researchers, UK/EU public sector staff and staff at UK/EU registered charity organisations and recognised UK/EU research institutions.
• £220 per day for all other participants.

Website and registration:

Region:

North West

Keywords:

Visual Data Analysis, Spatial Data Analysis, Geographical Information System (GIS), Quantitative Software, ArcGIS

Related publications and presentations:

Visual Data Analysis
Spatial Data Analysis
Geographical Information System (GIS)
Quantitative Software
ArcGIS

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