What are the Relative Merits of Digital vs. Paper Mapping Techniques when Collecting Spatial Data?”
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Course
Environmental Science
Institution
University Of Southampton (UOS)
This study is important to determine which spatial data method is the better option in terms of cost, effectiveness, and easy use. This allows researchers in areas studying spatial data to use the best method for
that specific area of study. The key findings which were found were than both digita...
“What are the Relative Merits of Digital vs. Paper Mapping Techniques when
Collecting Spatial Data?”
Word count: 1500
Abstract:
This study is important to determine which spatial data method is the better option in terms of cost,
effectiveness, and easy use. This allows researchers in areas studying spatial data to use the best method for
that specific area of study. The key findings which were found were than both digital and analog techniques
(which are paper mapping techniques) both have their benefits and disadvantages. Digital succeed in the areas
of accuracy and effectiveness; however, they are moderately more expensive due to the cost of apps and
access to the websites. Additionally, digital can be more confusing at times, with questionable additional
features on the apps which cause them to be more complicated than necessary. On the other hand, analog
techniques are easy to use and cheap- however the accuracy is lower than digital, and this crucial aspect of
spatial data, therefore this could be seen as a disadvantage. In conclusion, both digital and analog have their
merits for spatial data collection, yet also hold disadvantages in terms of cost for digital, and accuracy for
analog techniques. Weather affected both methods and hence using a combination of both methods may be the
most successful way to collect spatial data.
Introduction:
Collecting spatial data is a very necessary requirement of modern technology due to the ability to hold specific
details of locations and features within them. Spatial data subcategorise into 2 major areas- digital and analog.
Digital techniques require technology for the collection of spatial data, using Global Positioning System
(GPS) signals, online maps and websites, to hold specific and reliable spatial data which is held for anyone to
have access to. The different methods used in the spatial data collection allows reports to be unique and
specific to individual areas of study (Zhu, ZH et al, 2009), and hence a variation could be the best method.
More traditionally, analog methods such as using paper and pencil with printed maps, can be used to show
areas of spatial data for habitat surveys and simple route planning. This technique is very versatile and hence
many prefer to use the technique which will succeed. Yet, due to technological development and digital
aspects being more accessible in the 21st century, people are moving away from the analog techniques due to
lack of accuracy- a paper map holds the accuracy of human prediction, whereas GPS uses signals from
satellites, which is clearly more accurate. The purpose of this study is to determine the variance of merits for
both digital and analog techniques for spatial data collection, to allow researchers to understand the different
methods, so the best methods can be picked for the area of study.
Method:
ArcGIS:
The broadest area of spatial data can be accessed using ArcGIS online; a website allowing individuals to make
their own map with specific personal areas or areas of interest. This map can then be uploaded into groups and
all members can access them. It shows the points of interest, with changeable icons to identify each area. The
analog replica of this app is a simple map with pinpoints to show the different areas; this involves a paper
print out of a map, and additional paper to show the relative areas.
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, Freya Elizabeth Patten, 30821207
Figure 1: ArcGIS online editing page showing the available functions (ArcGIS.com).
Figure 2: ArcGIS online map, with the points of interest shown (ArcGIS.com).
GPS Garmin ETrex 10:
The handheld GPS holds specific location and height of altitude. It is used to track the area of walking, and the
altitude at specific points. Alternatively, a printed map from digimaps can be used to plan the location and
follow the map to the specific areas. For spatial data mapping during route journeys, the GPS Garmin ETrex
10 holds beneficial use when collecting data points in a specific area.
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