Geographic Information Systems Lab 3
Geographic Information Systems
Lab 3
Goals & Background:
Through lectures and readings before starting this lab, I was able to better understand concepts like joining, data retrieval, and static vs. dynamic maps. In this lab, we explored the uses of joining tables, retrieving data from a data source, such as the US Census Bureau, and mapping different data sets. By working with a data set of my choice, I was able to produce two static maps, one displaying population by county in the state of Wisconsin, and the other displaying the percentages of males per county in Wisconsin. The goal of the assignment was to accurately bring data in from outside of ArcMap and seamlessly integrate it into an existing dataset. By doing so, we can use any outside data source and use ArcMap to display that data in anyway we want. Additionally, I used my profile on ArcGIS Online, facilitated by the Geography and Anthropology Department at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, to create a dynamic map.
Methods:
To start this lab, I had to use the US Census Bureau website to narrow down a dataset that I wanted. By navigating through the various search options, I found the dataset I wanted, the population data for the state of Wisconsin, by county.
After downloading this, I unzipped the files and saved them in a folder designated for this assignment. I opened and manipulated the data set, which came in the form of an Excel document, to better work with in ArcMap. I changed the wording of some fields and removed characters that are not applicable with ArcMap.
Starting my map, I added the county shape file to a blank map. I then added my new data table. From examining the tables, I realized they could be joined by using the GEO_ID, and they were identical, meaning a one-to-one cardinality would be accepted. I then joined the two tables, exporting the new shape file to the map, and deleted my original shape file.
With the new shape file, it now contained the population data that I downloaded. By changing the symbology, I presented the data in a graduated colors map, using 7 classes to better represent the distribution by county.
I then repeated the whole process with a data set of my choosing. I chose the Age_Sex data set to show the distribution of males per county.
Downloading the data set from the US Census Bureau, I saved the files and manipulated the table so they could join. By adding the data to a new blank map, I again joined the tables by the GEO_ID. Deleted the old shape file so that only the new one remained, I displayed the data using a graduated colors map, this time using 5 classes. My new map showed which counties have a higher percentage of males.
Using the tools in ArcMap, I finalized my map by adding key elements like a legend, a title, and scale bar.
In part 2 of the assignment, I started by logging into ArcGIS Online by navigating the various log in windows associated with using my university log in.
Next, I used my second map, the map of males by percentage, and shared it with ArcGIS Online. After editing key sections like tags, description and summary, I published the map on my profile in the Geography and Anthropology Department page on ArcGIS Online.
To make it a dynamic map, I edited it to add a pop up window that gives further information on a county by county level. This way, you can identify a county, and look at population data to get a better understanding of the male to female distribution within that county.
Results:
Figure 1 shows the first static map. You can see by the graduated colors, that the population within the state is greater in counties in the south eastern part of the state. These are counties with bigger cities like Milwaukee and Madison. The darker the color, the greater the population.
Lab 3
Goals & Background:
Through lectures and readings before starting this lab, I was able to better understand concepts like joining, data retrieval, and static vs. dynamic maps. In this lab, we explored the uses of joining tables, retrieving data from a data source, such as the US Census Bureau, and mapping different data sets. By working with a data set of my choice, I was able to produce two static maps, one displaying population by county in the state of Wisconsin, and the other displaying the percentages of males per county in Wisconsin. The goal of the assignment was to accurately bring data in from outside of ArcMap and seamlessly integrate it into an existing dataset. By doing so, we can use any outside data source and use ArcMap to display that data in anyway we want. Additionally, I used my profile on ArcGIS Online, facilitated by the Geography and Anthropology Department at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, to create a dynamic map.
Methods:
To start this lab, I had to use the US Census Bureau website to narrow down a dataset that I wanted. By navigating through the various search options, I found the dataset I wanted, the population data for the state of Wisconsin, by county.
After downloading this, I unzipped the files and saved them in a folder designated for this assignment. I opened and manipulated the data set, which came in the form of an Excel document, to better work with in ArcMap. I changed the wording of some fields and removed characters that are not applicable with ArcMap.
Starting my map, I added the county shape file to a blank map. I then added my new data table. From examining the tables, I realized they could be joined by using the GEO_ID, and they were identical, meaning a one-to-one cardinality would be accepted. I then joined the two tables, exporting the new shape file to the map, and deleted my original shape file.
With the new shape file, it now contained the population data that I downloaded. By changing the symbology, I presented the data in a graduated colors map, using 7 classes to better represent the distribution by county.
I then repeated the whole process with a data set of my choosing. I chose the Age_Sex data set to show the distribution of males per county.
Downloading the data set from the US Census Bureau, I saved the files and manipulated the table so they could join. By adding the data to a new blank map, I again joined the tables by the GEO_ID. Deleted the old shape file so that only the new one remained, I displayed the data using a graduated colors map, this time using 5 classes. My new map showed which counties have a higher percentage of males.
Using the tools in ArcMap, I finalized my map by adding key elements like a legend, a title, and scale bar.
In part 2 of the assignment, I started by logging into ArcGIS Online by navigating the various log in windows associated with using my university log in.
Next, I used my second map, the map of males by percentage, and shared it with ArcGIS Online. After editing key sections like tags, description and summary, I published the map on my profile in the Geography and Anthropology Department page on ArcGIS Online.
To make it a dynamic map, I edited it to add a pop up window that gives further information on a county by county level. This way, you can identify a county, and look at population data to get a better understanding of the male to female distribution within that county.
Results:
Figure 1 shows the first static map. You can see by the graduated colors, that the population within the state is greater in counties in the south eastern part of the state. These are counties with bigger cities like Milwaukee and Madison. The darker the color, the greater the population.
Figure 1: Map of Population distribution by county
Figure 2 shows the other static map I created. This one, a map of the percentage of males per county in Wisconsin. Using a graduate colors map, it is easy to see which counties have more men in relation to women. As it is relative to population of the county, it doesn't show what counties have the most men, but rather which counties have more or less men than women.
Figure 2: Map of males as a percentage by county
Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau (2010). Total Population 2010, Wisconsin Summary File 1. https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table
U.S. Census Bureau (2010). SEX BY AGE, Total Population 2010. Wisconsin. Summary File 1. https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_SF1_P12&prodType=table
Mastering ArcGIS, Tutorial Data, 7th edition by Maribeth Price (2015) [DVD-ROM]. McGraw-Hill Higher Ed: Dubuque, Iowa.
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