This is a general list of items to know for Exam 3.
This list
is not intended to be a complete itemization of all questions on this exam.
However, knowing this material will serve as a good starting point in preparation
for study.
Be able to identify, know the meaning of, or otherwise
give examples of the following:
Qualitative and Quantitative Information (Chapter 11 + pp. 235-238)
Data Symbols
--What kinds of data are symbolized? (Point, Linear, Areal)
Levels of Measurement of Geographic Data
-- Nominal
(type or category; no value here)
-- Ordinal
(rankings; measure of importance only)
-- Interval/Ratio (rank and value; ratio scale starts at zero, interval scale starts arbitrarily)
What kinds of data may be symbolized using points, lines, or polygons?
--Examples of nominal and quantitative point symbols? What is meant by range-grading?
--What are graduated circles? Can other geometric shapes be graduated as well?
--What are realistic figures? Give specific examples.
--What are name placement preference patterns for various data symbols? Rules?
--Examples of nominal and quantitative linear map features? What is a flow map?
--Examples of nominal and quantitative areal symbols? What kinds of patterns are used?
Choropleth Mapping
--What exactly is a chorpleth map? What does the word "choropleth" mean?
--Examples of themes that can be presented on choropleth maps?
--Into how many classes or categories should choropleth map
data be divided?
Who decides this?
--How does one go about determining the intervals between classes? What is a histogram?
Classed Choropleth Maps
What is done to the data in each of the following methods? How do you decide which to use?
--Equal Steps
--Quantiles
--Natural breaks
What is an "unclassed" choropleth map? A prism map?
What is meant by the statistical surface? Isopleths? An isometric-line map?
Map Misuse (Chapter 16) and Digital Map Applications (Chapter 20)
What kind of power do maps possess?
--How can bad maps affect a large population?
--What are the two major ways in which map misuse can happen?
--How are map inaccuracies caused? Examples?
Propaganda Maps
--What is meant by propaganda? What characteristics do propaganda maps share?
--What can be the effect of an inappropriate projection on a map?
--What liberties can be taken with symbolization? Imaginary events? Misrepresentation?
--Why is the Peters Projection controversial?
What are digital map applications?
Electronic Atlases
--What are the pros and cons inherent in electronic atlases and traditional atlases?
--What are some of the user concerns with electronic atlases?
--What particular capabilities would be important to have in an electronic atlas?
Automated Automobile Navigation Systems
--What are some of the pros and cons involved in these systems?
--What capabilities do they posses today? What user concerns are important to address?
--What future enhancements might become available in these systems?
Remote Sensing From Space (Chapter 18)
What is Remote Sensing?
--What kinds of data are collected? What kind of sensors are used from space?
--Why are remotely sensed images often more useful in digital form?
Collection Systems
--What is a pixel? How is a bit different from a byte?
Ground Resolution
--What is specifically meant by this term?
--Can 30-meter-square objects be detected on a 30-meter resolution system? Why or why not?
--Rule: the smallest dimension of an object must be at least twice as great as the ground resolution
of the system before it is likely to be detactable.
--What is thematic information extraction? Why is it so important?
Examples of Remote Sensing Collection Systems
--What is Landsat? Who launched it? How many are there?
--What is the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) system on Landsat 7? What can it do?
--What is SPOT? Who launched it? What unique talent does it possess?
--What does satellite-based radar imagery do? Why is it known as an "active" system?
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