2019 QUARTER 01

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

DM-10 - The Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) model

Describe how to generate a unique TIN solution using Delaunay triangulation
Describe the architecture of the TIN model
Construct a TIN manually from a set of spot elevations
Delineate a set of break lines that improve the accuracy of a TIN
Describe the conditions under which a TIN might be more practical than GRID
Demonstrate the use of the TIN model for different statistical surfaces (e.g., terrain elevation, population density, disease incidence) in a GIS software application

FC-27 - Thematic accuracy

Explain the distinction between thematic accuracy, geometric accuracy, and topological fidelity
Outline the SDTS and ISO TC211 standards for thematic accuracy
Discuss how measures of spatial autocorrelation may be used to evaluate thematic accuracy
Describe the component measures and the utility of a misclassification matrix
Describe the different measurement levels on which thematic accuracy is based

AM-86 - Theory of error propagation

Describe stochastic error models
Exemplify stochastic error models used in GIScience

FC-08 - Time

Differentiate between mathematical and phenomenological theories of the nature of time
Recognize the role that time plays in “static” GISystems
Compare and contrast models of a given spatial process using continuous and discrete perspectives of time
Select the temporal elements of geographic phenomena that need to be represented in particular GIS applications
Exemplify different temporal frames of reference: linear and cyclical, absolute and relative

DM-28 - Topological relationships

Define various terms used to describe topological relationships, such as disjoint, overlap, within, and intersect
List the possible topological relationships between entities in space (e.g., 9-intersection) and time
Use methods that analyze topological relationships
Recognize the contributions of topology (the branch of mathematics) to the study of geographic relationships
Describe geographic phenomena in terms of their topological relationships in space and time to other phenomena

The selection of appropriate type on maps, far from an arbitrary design decision, is an integral part of establishing the content and tone of the map. Typefaces have personalities, which contribute to the rhetorical message of the map. It is important to understand how to assess typefaces for their personalities, but also to understand which typefaces may be more or less legible in a labeling context. Beyond the choice of typeface, effective map labels will have a visual hierarchy and allow the user to easily associate labels to their features and feature types. The cartographer must understand and modify typographic visual variables to support both the hierarchy and label-feature associations.

DC-28 - United States Census Data

The Census Bureau collects extensive numeric data on the residents of the United States as well ast the national economy. This is accomplished both through a decennial census as well as numerous other more frequent surveys. The decennial census is a fundamental basis of American democracy, mandated by the U.S. Constitution and essential for the equal representation in a democratic government. Numeric census data are maintained in vast collections of tables and organized at many different levels of geographies. From the Census website, the geographic and tabular data can be downloaded and then joined for display and analysis within a GIS. Because of the nature of individual data aggregated over areas and other matters, care must be taken to avoid statistical errors when undertaking spatial analyses.

DC-24 - Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are revolutionizing how GIS&T researchers and practitioners model and analyze our world. Compared to traditional remote sensing approaches, UAS provide a largely inexpensive, flexible, and relatively easy-to-use platform to capture high spatial and temporal resolution geospatial data. Developments in computer vision, specifically Structure from Motion (SfM), enable processing of UAS-captured aerial images to produce three-dimensional point clouds and orthophotos. However, many challenges persist, including restrictive legal environments for UAS flight, extensive data processing times, and the need for further basic research. Despite its transformative potential, UAS adoption still faces some societal hesitance due to privacy concerns and liability issues.

CV-38 - Usability Engineering & Evaluation

In this entry, we introduce tenets of usability engineering (UE) and user-centered design (UCD), interrelated approaches to ensuring that a map or visualization works for the target use. After a general introduction to these concepts and processes, we then discuss treatment of UE and UCD in research on cartography and geographic visualization. Finally, we present a classification of UE evaluation methods, including a general overview of each category of method and their application to cartographic user research.

CV-13 - User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design

Advances in personal computing and information technologies have fundamentally transformed how maps are produced and consumed, as many maps today are highly interactive and delivered online or through mobile devices. Accordingly, we need to consider interaction as a fundamental complement to representation in cartography and visualization. UI (user interface) / UX (user experience) describes a set of concepts, guidelines, and workflows for critically thinking about the design and use of an interactive product, map or otherwise. This entry introduces core concepts from UI/UX design important to cartography and visualization, focusing on issues related to visual design. First, a fundamental distinction is made between the use of an interface as a tool and the broader experience of an interaction, a distinction that separates UI design and UX design. Norman’s stages of interaction framework then is summarized as a guiding model for understanding the user experience with interactive maps, noting how different UX design solutions can be applied to breakdowns at different stages of the interaction. Finally, three dimensions of UI design are described: the fundamental interaction operators that form the basic building blocks of an interface, interface styles that implement these operator primitives, and recommendations for visual design of an interface.