Essential Graphical Techniques in Geography

Representation of geographical data using graphs, diagrams and mapping techniques is a key for geographers and for researchers in other disciplines to explore the nature of data, the pattern of spatial and temporal variations and their relationships, and formulation of principles to accurately understand and analyze features on or near the earth's surface. These modes of representation also enable the development of spatial understanding and the capacity for technical and logical decision making. The book depicts all types of graphs, diagrams and maps, explained in detail with numerous examples. The emphasis is on their appropriate data structure, the relevance of selecting the correct technique, methods of their construction, advantages and disadvantages of their use, and applications of these techniques in analyzing and realizing the spatial pattern of various geographical features and phenomena. This book is unique in that it reflects a perfect correlation between theoreticalknowledge of geographical events and phenomena and their realistic implications, with relevant examples using appropriate graphical methods. The book serves as a valuable resource for students, researchers, cartographers and decision makers to analyze and represent various geographical data for a better, systematic and scientific understanding of the real world.

Auteur

Dr. Swapan Kumar Maity is an assistant professor of geography at Nayagram P. R. M. Government College, Jhargram, West Bengal, India. He completed his doctoral degree at Vidyasagar University with his dissertation titled Mechanisms of sedimentation in the lower reach of the Rupnarayan River. Dr. Maity has 7 years of teaching experience at the undergraduate level in geography and 2 years at the postgraduate level in geography and environmental management. His teaching interests include geotectonics, geomorphology, climatology and practical geography, including remote sensing and GIS. His main research areas include fluvial geomorphology, river sedimentation and sediment mineralogy. He has published several research articles in renowned journals and two books from Springer in the field of the mechanism and environment of river sedimentation. Dr. Maity is a life member of the Indian Institute of Geomorphologists.

Contenu

Chapter-1: Concept, types, collection, classification and representation of geographical data

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Concept of Data

1.3 Concept of Geographical Data

1.4 Types of Data (Geographical Data)

1.4.1 Qualitative data (Attribute)

1.4.2 Quantitative data (Variable)

1.4.2.1 Continuous variable and discontinuous or discrete variable

1.4.2.2 Difference between Continuous variable and discontinuous or discrete variable

1.4.3 Uni-variate data and Bi-variate data

1.4.4 Difference between Uni-variate data and Bi-variate data

1.4.5 Independent variable and Dependent variable

1.4.6 Difference between Qualitative data (Attribute) and Quantitative data (Variable)

1.4.7 Primary data

1.4.8 Secondary data

1.4.9 Advantages of use of primary data over the secondary data

1.4.10 Difference between primary and secondary data

1.5 Methods of data collection

1.5.1 Methods of primary data collection

1.5.1.1 Observation method

1.5.1.1.1 Direct observation method

1.5.1.1.1a Advantages and disadvantages of direct observation method

1.5.1.1.2 Indirect observation method

1.5.1.1.2a Advantages and disadvantages of indirect observation method

1.5.1.1.3 Participation observation

1.5.1.1.3a Advantages and disadvantages of participation method

1.5.1.2 Interview method

1.5.1.2.1 Interviewing by Questionnaire method

1.5.1.2.2 Characteristics of standard questionnaire

1.5.1.2.3 Direct Questionnaire method

1.5.1.2.3a Advantages and disadvantages of Direct Questionnaire method

1.5.1.2.4 Postal method of Questionnaire survey

1.5.1.2.4a Advantages and disadvantages of Postal Questionnaire method

1.5.1.2.5 Interviewing by Informal method

1.5.1.2.5a Advantages and disadvantages of Informal interview method 1.5.1.2.6 Interviewing by Telephone

1.5.1.2.6a Advantages and disadvantages of Telephone interview method

1.5.1.3 Sampling method

1.5.1.3.1 Advantages and disadvantages of sampling method

1.5.1.4 Experimentation method

1.5.1.4.1 Advantages and disadvantages of experimental method

1.5.1.5 Local sources method

1.5.1.5.1 Advantages and disadvantages of local sources method

1.5.2 Methods of secondary data collection 1.5.2.1 Published sources

1.5.2.2 Unpublished sources

1.5.2.3 Advantages and disadvantages of secondary data collection

1.6 Measurement scales in geographical system

1.6.1 Nominal scale

1.6.1.1 Characteristics of nominal data

1.6.1.2 Application in geographical study

1.6.2 Ordinal scale

1.6.2.1 Characteristics of ordinal data

1.6.2.2 Application in geographical study

1.6.3 Interval scale

1.6.3.1 Characteristics of interval data

1.6.3.2 Application in geographical study

1.6.4 Ratio scale

1.6.4.1 Characteristics of ratio data

1.6.4.2 Application in geographical study

1.7 Processing of data

1.7.1 Classification of data

1.7.1.1 Objectives of data classification

1.7.1.2 Characteristics of ideal data classification

1.7.1.3 Types of classification

1.7.1.3.1 Geographical classification (based on location or space)

1.7.1.3.2 Chronological classification (based on time or period)

1.7.1.3.3 Qualitative classification (attribute)

1.7.1.3.4 Quantitative classification (numerical)

1.7.2 Tabulation of data

1.7.2.1 Essentials of an ideal table

1.7.2.2 Types of table

1.7.2.2.1 General purpose table

1.7.2.2.2 Special purpose table

1.7.2.2.3 Simple table

1.7.2.2.4 Complex table

1.7.3 Frequency distribution

1.7.3.1 Important terminologies associated with grouped frequency distribution

1.7.3.2 Construction of Frequency Distribution Table 1.7.3.3 Cumulative Frequency Distributio...