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GIS Resources For JournalistsOutlineWhat is GIS?Why use GIS?How are journalists using GIS?Data driven journalismWhat do you need to make and share mapsDataSoftwareOnline AppsSome coding skills (python, html)

2What does GIS stand for?Geographic Information Systemsoften defined as a computerized database management system for capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data.- www.cml.upenn.edu/what_is_gis.htmallows 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 worksGIS 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: www.esri.com 2013is an aerial photograph geometrically corrected ("orthorectified") such that the scale is uniform: the photo has the same lack of distortion as a map. Unlike an uncorrected aerial photograph, an orthophotograph can be used to measure true distances, because it is an accurate representation of the Earth's surface, having been adjusted for topographic relief,[1] lens distortion, and camera tilt.5Why Use GIS/MapsLayer 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 Whats Inside - How many historic homes are located within a proposed neighborhood rehabilitation zone.

Find Whats Nearby - How many parks/recreation areas are there within a mile from my house?

Map Change Urban Sprawl, Rainforest depletion

Source: www.esri.com 2013Random GIS FactIn 1854 Dr. John Snow analyzed geographic data to determine the source of a cholera epidemic in London.The earliest recorded uses of Geographic Information techniquesThe source was a contaminated well.

First, You need:

1. data (your own or someone elses)

2. software to filter and map complexdata

3. apps to visualize and share the map with others

Making a MapDataWhat makes data spatial?Must have a geographic componentAddressLat/Long coordinatesTied 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 datahelps those viewing the maps figure out exactly what and where they are looking at.OrthophotographyStreamsWatershed BoundariesJurisdictional BoundariesStreets..and many more datasets, such as parcels, zoning boundaries, contours, soils, etc.

Source: www.esri.com 201310Your dataGPS pointsGeoreferencing - a historic map or imageGeocoding addressesHeads-up-digitizing Analysis Tools with GIS SoftwareMobile Mapping cellphones, tabletsUpload from a database (Excel, Access, etc.)Stream from Twitter or other social media11Government data sourcesData.gov ARDA the association of Religion Data ArchivesCensus.govCIA World FactbookEurostatGlobal Health ObservatoryHarvard Dataverse NetworkHUD.govInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) DataNOAA IndianaMap (or other state GIS data collection)UNdata United Nations Statistics DivisionCommunity Commons12You can use a GIS Software Program or Online Applications.

The number of options is daunting!

You have data, now to analyze and create the mapGIS Software14Esri 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. PostGISMap Maker Gratis free GIS for WindowsFully functional map production programDoesnt have an online map sharing component

http://www.mapmaker.com/v3/products.htm

Map MakerVisualizing and Sharing Your DataGoogle Maps

http://www.walkscore.com/score/9404319Google Earth

http://www.brocku.ca/maplibrary/digital/War1812/WarOf1812.phpTableau Public

Free data visualization toolhttp://www.tableausoftware.com/public/gallery

MapBoxPowered by Open StreetMap

Foursquare

Evernote

Financial Times

Pinterest

Source: mapbox.com/showcase, 2013

http://www.mapbox.com/showcase/

http://www.npr.org/censusmap/#4.00/39.00/-84.00

Show npr

22 ArcGIS Onlinehttp://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/Source: www.esri.com 2013

http://storymaps.esri.com/stories/2014/womeningis/ESRI Community Analyst and BAOSource: www.esri.com 2013http://www.esri.com/software/bao/reports-maps/bao-variables

Esri Community Analyst:Create custom maps and reports using data that's easy to access. You will find more than 6,000 data variables available, including age, income, population, health, and housing.24QUESTIONS?

Contact:Angela GibsonGIS SpecialistUniversity Libraries GRMC (BL224)asgibson2@bsu.edu285-1097