Geographic Information Systems

Overview: 

The Computational and Spatial Analysis Core can help researchers to incorporate geographic information into research in creative and cutting-edge ways. The CSA Core staff specializes in spatial statistics, advanced spatial analysis, exploratory spatial data analysis, spatial econometrics, and customized programming for geographic information systems (GIS). The CSA Core also provides an online, interactive WebGIS and will support innovative research using mobile technology in the collection of spatial and social media data. Geospatial data store the geometric location of a particular feature or object (represented as either a point, a line, or an area), along with attribute information describing what those features represent. Geospatial data may come from a variety of sources—individual, household, or institutional surveys; population censuses, land use surveys, human infrastructure databases (streets, buildings, business listings, tax records, etc.), satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and paper maps.

The main software package connected to geographic information systems is called ArcGIS and is supplied by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). From developing project websites to implementing complex statistical analyses of research data, the CSA core offers experienced, professional programmers to support research projects.