Visualization and spatial data analysis with ArcMap

Klavdija Krivec (2010) Visualization and spatial data analysis with ArcMap. EngD thesis.

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Abstract

Spatial data visualization and analyses are an important source of information that are helpful in understanding and prediction of spatial phenomena and have an impact on spatial decisions. Nowadays there are many software solutions available for an effective detection of information contained in spatial data. In my thesis I explore the capabilities of ArcMap tool, which is a part of the ArcGIS software designed to work with spatial data. The goal of this study was to present the capabilities of visualization and statistical analysis of spatial data in this tool. To analyze and visualize spatial data in ArcMap, data must be given in the proper format. It is possible to join spatial data and data without spatial attributes in order to increase the content of information. In the thesis itself the preparation of spatial data and its connection with non-spatial data is presented. Various ways of visualizing on the map are shown. In my thesis I have focused on statistical approaches in ArcMap. In a case study I presented the capabilities of one of the ArcMap extensions, called Geostatistical Analyst. The extension is based on methods for spatial interpolation and allows exploration of statistical properties of spatial data, choosing a model for creating surface and evaluating how well the model predicted the surface. All these steps are presented on a practical example. ArcMap is a comprehensive application with a lot of functionalities. Based on testing various methods of visualization and statistical analysis of spatial data, I can summarize that for an effective use of this tool a basic level of knowledge in this area is welcome or at least preparation for ongoing learning. Moreover to perform analyses it is especially important to prepare the data beforehand.

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