CHAPTER SIX:

COLLECTING SPATIAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC DATA

6.1 Introduction Dear trainee! This chapter introduces you about the concepts of spatial
and non-spatial data, gathered through different data collection methods. It requires the ability in
gathering information through techniques of data collection that leads to the formal record in the
legal sense. Definitions, collection mechanisms and checking, validation mechanisms and
correlations between layers are also covered by this chapter. Spatial data sets are primarily
defined as those which are directly or indirectly referenced to a location on the surface of the
earth whereas non-spatial data are attributes describing the spatial data such as numbers,
characters or logical type. Within broad view of this theme, the following three core areas are
covered. Data includes both spatial and non-spatial data on which GIS operations are performed
to derive new information. Spatial data acquired from various sources such as satellite images,
aerial photographs, ground surveying or existing map data that can be integrated with
corresponding non-spatial data in GIS environment. Spatial data is described by X, Y
coordinates and descriptive data are best organized in alpha numeric fields. Normally, Spatial
and attribute data are stored separately to a GIS and links are established between the two types
of data. Broadly categorized, the basic data for any GIS application has two components. Spatial
data is consisting of maps and which have been prepared either by field surveys or by the
interpretation of remotely sensed data whereas, non-spatial data describes attributes
complimentary to the spatial data and that describe what is at a point, along a line or in a
polygon.

6.2 Learning Objectives

After completing this chapter, you will be able to:

• Identify tasks prior to data collection

• Conduct the spatial and non-spatial data collection

• Perform information review and correlation

Dear trainee! Before reading the following section, take ten minutes and try to describe concepts
of spatial and non-spatial data collection.
6.3 Data Collection Preparations Data according to this context refers to both spatial and non-
spatial data: Spatial data sets are primarily defined as those which are directly or indirectly
referenced to a location on the surface of the earth. When a dataset cannot be related to a location
on the surface of the earth is referred as non-spatial data. GIS technologies are unique in their
capability to combine the two data sets thereby bringing a paradigm shift in thinking how the
planning and monitoring system may work. The power and potential of such systems is
unlimited thereby providing huge opportunity to process information which can be used
effectively. The non-spatial data are numbers, characters or logical type. The spatial data sets,
however has primary data type as point, line or polygon and may be referenced to some specific
grid system. Traditionally the information systems in past have created the huge data repositories
which appear to be non-spatial in nature. However, these may indirectly be referring to specific
locations. The first step in data collection is planning: this includes preparations which give
guidelines for the actual work. Planning mainly used to manage time properly, save resources
from waste such as transportation, energy, cost, etc. So, these resources can be saved and used
properly. There are various data planning preparations depending on the type of data and
application required. Making data collection arrangements have to be performed if there are
different crews. Team leaders in this case mobilize the resources required for the work. Materials
needed for the work should be prepared including their accessories; safety covers or boxes;
helmet, field shoe, etc. are parts of the planning mission. Enumeration area has to be defined and
delineated on a day to day activity in order to avoid confusions.
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instance, if the required data is densified control point, DGPS is needed. Before going to the field
measurement GPS mission planning need to be made in advance to know satellite availability
and their obstruction level. The Satellite Availability tool of Leica Geo Office (LGO) helps you
to plan your GPS field work. It provides you with graphical and numerical information on the
satellite constellation for any location (Site) at a given time. To compute the satellite availability
for a specific Site, Almanac information has to be provided. Define the site-specific obstructions.
Obstructions may be defined for Rover and Reference. In the same manner, if the required data is
the land tenure data of a given neighbor, it has to be prepared the legal document of the land
holders and adjudication formats in line with the legislations and standards.

6.4 Conduct Data Collection

6.4.1 Methods of Spatial Data Collection This is a procedure which the actual data collected is
made. Depending on the required data for the specific application, both spatial and non-spatial
(socio-economic) data are collected. Spatial data is collected in the field using land surveying
instruments such as GPS, Total Station, Tape, Level, etc. or from remotely sensed data’s like
aerial photographs and satellite imageries. Mostly, the spatial data collection techniques can be
broadly categorized as a ground and photogrammetric approaches. Ground Survey Methods: are
conducted using surveying instruments like Tape, Level, Theodolite, Compass, Total Station,
GPS and others. This method is economical and suitable for relatively small areas. Remote
Sensing Method: is a method of acquiring data without physical contact between the sensor and
the target. Aerial photographs/satellite images are remotely sensed data that are used to show the
necessary ground data. It is an economic method for larger areas and projects and it overcomes
the sometimes-difficult access problems to the area to be mapped. The accuracy of
photogrammetric mainly depends upon the scale of the aerial photographs. The ground work is
only limited to establishing horizontal and vertical ground control points (For example, through
traversing and leveling) that must be clearly defined and well-distributed over the target area and
a final terrestrial field check should be made. GPS: Using GPS spatial data can be collected in
two techniques; Static and RTK (Real Time Kinematics). Static GPS surveying is a relative
positioning technique that depends on the carrier-phase measurements. It employs two (or more)
stationary receivers simultaneously tracking the same satellites. One receiver, the base receiver,
is set up over a point with precisely known coordinates such as a survey monument (sometimes
referred to as the known point). The other receiver, the remote receiver, is set up over a point
whose coordinates are sought (sometimes referred to as the unknown point). The base receiver
can support any number of remote receivers, as long as a minimum of four common satellites is
visible at both the base and the remote sites. Real time kinematics data collection uses
differential GPS corrections broadcast by a base receiver to solve for coordinates at a rover
receiver in real time. There are several ways to transmit a correction signal from the base station
to mobile station. The most popular way to achieve real-time transmission is radio
communication. The accuracy of the resulting range measurement depends on the number of
satellites in view, resolved ambiguities, satellite geometry, etc. Total Station: Using Total Station
angles (horizontal and vertical) and distance can be measured. Angle measurement is one of the
fundamental measurements in surveying work, which is used to describe the relative orientation
of points and properties with respect to each other. Basic terms used in angle measurement are:
Horizontal plane is a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical line at a point; there can be only
one horizontal plane through a given point but unlimited horizontal lines exist at the same point.
Horizontal angle is the difference between two intersecting lines when they are projected onto
the datum plane. Vertical plane is any plane that contains the vertical line at a given point;
unlimited vertical planes exist at a given point. Vertical angle (Elevation angle) is the angle of
elevation or depression between the line of collimation and the horizontal plane which passes
through the horizontal axis of the theodolite. Distance is one of the fundamental measurements in
surveying. Although frequently measured as a spatial distance (sloping distance) in three-
dimensional space, inevitably it is the horizontal equivalent which is required. Distance is
required in many instances, for example, to give scale to a network of control points, to fix the
position of topographic detail by offsets or polar coordinates, to set out the position of a point in
construction work, etc. Having said this, different features can be measured and collected; trees,
poles, buildings, roads, etc. 78 6.4.2 Methods of Non-spatial Data Collection Any additional
information, or attribute, that describes a feature is referred to as a non-spatial data. For example,
you might have a map displaying buildings within a city’s downtown region. Each of the
buildings, in addition to their location, may have additional attributes such as the type of use
(housing, business, government, etc.) and how many stories it has. The name of the town, its
population, settlement type, modes of transportation and communication, government structure,
educational institutions, occupations, and facilities are among the non-spatial statistics of the
town. It's worth noting that none of the town's data listed above are based on their physical
location. As a result, non-spatial data is unaffected by location information. Implies that non-
spatial (socio-economic) data are acquired at the same time as geographical data. Depending on
the nature of the project, some were developed during the analysis period and others were
obtained from other organizations such as municipalities, statistics agencies, and so on. 6.5
Information Review and Correlation The obtained data must be checked for correctness and
completeness after the field measurement; this procedure is known as data review. Correlation
can be used to review the data because it shows the degree and direction of a linear relationship
between two random variables. In contrast, the term "connection" is used in everyday
conversation to refer to any relationship, not necessarily linear. The departure of two random
variables from independence is referred to as correlation or co-relation in standard statistical
usage. There are numerous coefficients that measure the degree of correlation and are adapted to
the nature of the data in this wide sense. Correlation is a relation existing between phenomena or
things or between mathematical or statistical variables which tend to vary, be associated, or
occur together in a way not expected on the basis of chance alone.

6.7 Self-Check Exercise

Short Answer Items Instruction:

Give short, brief and precise answer for the following questions.

1) What are the procedures and preparations for data collection in the field?

2) Define and explain spatial and non-spatial data.

3) How can be collected data checked for its correctness?

4) When and why correlation is required