Primary sources and methods

In this lesson, you will

Discuss sources of digital data such as digital cartographic databases, automated surveying, Global Positioning Systems and Remote Sensing.
Learn the basic steps of processing remotely sensed images.
Get an idea on how to realize data acquisition in the field and its major steps.
Obtain the basics on how to collect planimetric, height, slope, thematic and phenomena information in the field.

Learning Objectives

Existing digital databases are ready to import a primary data source to a GIS Database, if the data meets the data quality standard of the GIS Project and data file formats are compatible to convert. You will visit the web sites that offer data format translation and conversion tools from various formats to your GIS software formats.
Remotely sensed data is available in digital form or printed photographic form. Remote sensing data measures the spectral characteristics of spatial objects at a particular time and at a particular stage. It is surrogate data of particular object at a particular time and stage.
Remote sensing data is not directly usable in GIS. To be usable in GIS, it has to be preprocessed and post-processed. Preprocessing and post-processing steps will be introduced. Remote Sensing is a large domain of application science based on multidisciplinary integration of available science and technology. Therefore, the subject is briefly introduce from the perspective of data capture and the additional optional web site is indicated if you wish to learn more detail on this subject matter.
Field data collection is another primary source of data for GIS. You will be introduced to historical field survey methods such as chain, to modern field survey methods such as automated surveying.
Global Positioning Systems are one of the greatest innovations by mankind in twentieth century. GPS is developed by multidisciplinary integration of Geodesy, Mathematics, Satellite Technology, Telecommunication, Electronic engineering, Physics, Geography and Computer Science. Therefore, the subject is briefly introduce from the perspective of data capture and the additional optional web site is indicated if you wish to learn more detail on this subject matter.