August/September

Question 1

Vector Data

Answer 1

Geographic features represented using points, lines and polygons

Question 2

Raster Data

Answer 2

Geographic features represented using a grid of cells (pixels)

Question 3

What is vector data best suited for?

Answer 3

Discrete features, a need for precision (boundaries and linear features)

Question 4

What is raster data best suited for?

Answer 4

Continuous data, gradients, generally more complex data (satellite images, elevation maps)

Question 5

Attribute Layers

Answer 5

Tabular data linked to spatial features

Question 6

Base Maps

Answer 6

Provide background geographical context (e.g. street maps)

Question 7

Why do we need projections?

Answer 7

• Flattening Earth’s spheroid surface
• Preserving spatial accuracy
• Creating maps that are usable for practical mapping applications

Question 8

Conformal

Answer 8

Preserves shape but distorts area

Question 9

Equal-Area

Answer 9

Preserves area but distorts shape

Question 10

Equidistant

Answer 10

Maintains accurate distances from certain points

Question 11

Azimuthal

Answer 11

Preserves direction from a central point

Question 12

What are the types of distortion?

Answer 12

Shape, area, distance and direction

Question 13

Mercator Projection

Answer 13

Common for navigation, maintains straight lines for compass bearings

Question 14

UTM

Answer 14

Divides the world into zones, used for regional mapping

Question 15

Robinson Projection

Answer 15

Balances shape and size distortion, used for world maps

Question 16

Datum Transformation

Answer 16

Necessary when combining datasets with different datums, involves reprojecting data

Question 17

What are the key aspects of data quality?

Answer 17

Accuracy, precision, completeness, timeliness, and consistency

Question 18

Digitizing

Answer 18

The process of converting geographic features on a map into digital format

Question 19

What are the types of digitizing?

Answer 19

Manual and automated

Question 20

What are the main digitized features?

Answer 20

Points, lines and polygons

Question 21

What are the steps of digitizing?

Answer 21

• Prepare the base map
• Select digitizing tool
• Trace features manually
• Assign attributes to digitized features
• Save and export

Question 22

What are some challenges of digitizing?

Answer 22

• Inaccuracies via poor quality and resolution
• Georeferencing and tracing errors
• Topology errors (e.g. disconnected lines)

Question 23

GIS Analysis Toolpack

Answer 23

Tools for spatial queries, data extraction, overlay analysis, proximity and statistical analysis

Question 24

Overlay

Answer 24

Combine 2 layers to find spatial relationships
- Understanding the relationship between geographic attributes

Question 25

Proximity Analysis

Answer 25

Calculate distance between points/find nearest features - Calculating service areas and analyzing travel times

Question 26

Buffering

Answer 26

Create zones around features based on defined zones - Proximity analysis, influence areas in urban zoning

Question 27

Spatial Join

Answer 27

Merge attributes between layers based on spatial relationships - Aggreggating points, connecting data across scales

Question 28

Zonal Statistics

Answer 28

Summarize raster data based on defined zones - Environmental studies, agricultural analysis, spatial pattern identification

Question 29

Transpose (Excel)

Answer 29

Flips column/row values

Question 30

GIS wants ______ instead of GPS coordinates

Answer 30

latitude/longitude

Question 31

GIS prefers ______ degrees

Answer 31

decimal

Question 32

When text within a cell on Excel is aligned with the left automatically, this means it is a ______

Answer 32

text value

Question 33

When text within a cell on Excel is aligned with the right automatically, this means it is a ___________

Answer 33

numerical value

Question 34

FCC

Answer 34

website for DMS to DD conversion (fcc.gov)

Question 35

What are the limitations of Google Earth?

Answer 35

Image Resolution: some areas have lower-quality images Data Accuracy: not always up to date Internet Dependency: requires a stable internet connection