The Fourth Edition of this well-received text on the principles of geographic information systems (GIS) continues the author's style of "straight talk" in its presentation and is written to be accessible and easy to follow. Unlike most other GIS texts, this book covers GIS design and modeling, reflecting the belief that modeling and analysis are at the heart of GIS. This approach helps students understand and use GIS technology.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 0 Spatial Learner’s Permit 1 Spatial Terminology 2 Applying Spatial Terms 5 Spatial Cognition 8 Spatial Quantities 10 Spherical Earth 11 Concluding Remarks 13 Terms 14 Practice Exercises 14 References 16 UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION 17 Chapter 1 Introduction to Digital Geography 19 Learning Objectives 19 Geographic Information Systems Defined 19 A Brief History of Geographic Information Systems 23 GIS as a Growth Industry 25 Sample Application Areas of GIS 26 The Study of GIS 29 Terms 31 Review Questions 31 References 31 UNIT 2 DIGITAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA AND MAPS 33 Chapter 2 Basic Geographic Concepts 35 Learning Objectives 36 Developing Spatial Awareness 37 Spatial Measurement Levels 40 Spatial Location and Reference 42 Spatial Patterns 45 Geographic Data Collection 47 Populations and Sampling Schemes 52 Making Inferences from Samples 54 Terms 56 Review Questions 56 References 57 Chapter 3 Map Basics 58 Learning Objectives 59 Abstract Nature of Maps 59 A Paradigm Shift in Cartography 60 Map Scale 61 More Map Characteristics 63 Map Projections 63 Grid Systems for Mapping 66 Map Symbolism 73 Map Abstraction and Cartographic Databases 77 Terms 78 Review Questions 78 References 79 Chapter 4 GIS Computer Structure Basics 81 Learning Objectives 82 A Quick Review of the Map as an Abstraction of Space 82 Some Basic Computer File Structures 84 Simple Lists 84 Ordered Sequential Files 85 Indexed Files 86 Database Management Structures 88 Hierarchical Data Structures 88 Network Systems 90 Relational Database Management Systems 92 Some Basic Computer Terminology 95 Terms 96 Review Questions 97 References 97 Chapter 5 GIS Data Models 99 Learning Objectives 100 Graphic Representation of Entities and Attributes 100 GIS System Data Models 104 Raster Models 105 Raster Surface Models 106 Compact Storing of Raster Data 108 Commercial Raster Compaction Products 110 Vector Models 111 An Object-Oriented Data Model 117 Compacting Vector Data Models 117 A Vector Model to Represent Surfaces 118 Systems Models 119 Terms 123 Review Questions 123 References 124 UNIT 3 INPUT, STORAGE, AND EDITING 127 Chapter 6 GIS Input 129 Learning Objectives 129 Primary Data 130 Input Devices 131 Reference Frameworks and Transformations 134 Map Preparation and the Digitizing Process 137 What to Input 140 How Much to Input 141 Methods of Vector Input 142 Methods of Raster Input 143 Remote Sensing Data Input 146 GPS Data Input 149 Secondary Data 150 Metadata and Metadata Standards 151 Terms 154 Review Questions 154 References 155 Chapter 7 Data Storage and Editing 157 Learning Objectives 158 GIS Database Storage 158 Basic Error Types 160 Consequences of Errors 161 Error Detection and Editing 162 Entity Errors: Vector 162 Attribute Errors: Raster and Vector 168 Dealing with Projection Changes 171 Joining Adjacent Maps: Edge Matching 172 Conflation 173 Templating 174 Terms 175 Review Questions 175 References 176 UNIT 4 SPATIAL ANALYSIS 177 Chapter 8 Query and Description 179 Learning Objectives 180 Model Flowcharting 180 GIS Data Query 181 Locating and Identifying Spatial Objects 184 Defining Spatial Characteristics 185 Point Attributes 186 Line Attributes 187 Area Attributes 189 Working with Higher-Level Objects 192 Higher-Level Point Objects 192 Higher-Level Line Objects 195 Higher-Level Area Objects 198 Terms 199 Review Questions 200 References 200 Chapter 9 Measurement 202 Learning Objectives 202 Measuring Length 203 Measuring Polygons 205 Measuring Polygon Lengths 205 Measuring Perimeters of Polygons 206 Calculating Areas of Polygonal Features 207 Measuring Shape 208 Measuring Sinuosity 209 Measuring Polygon Shape 209 Measuring Distance 213 Euclidean Distance 213 Functional Distance 215 Terms 223 Review Questions 224 References 225 Chapter 10 Classification 227 Learning Objectives 228 Classification Principles 228 Elements of Reclassification 230 Neighborhood Functions 231 Roving Windows: Filters 232 Static Neighborhood Functions 235 Buffers 239 Terms 244 Review Questions 244 References 245 Chapter 11 Statistical Surfaces 247 Learning Objectives 248 What are Surfaces? 249 Surface Mapping 250 Nontopographical Surfaces 252 Sampling the Statistical Surface 253 The DEM 254 Interpolation 255 Linear Interpolation 256 Methods of Nonlinear Interpolation 257 Problems of Interpolation 262 Terms 266 Review Questions 267 References 268 Chapter 12 Terrain Analysis 269 Learning Objectives 270 Terrain Reclassification 270 Elevation Zones 270 Slope Analysis 272 Aspect Analysis 273 Shape or Form 275 Viewshed Analysis 279 Soundshed Analysis 282 Cut and Fill 283 Terms 284 Review Questions 284 References 286 Chapter 13 Spatial Arrangement 288 Learning Objectives 289 Point, Area, and Line Arrangements 290 Point Patterns 290 Nearest Neighbor Analysis 291 Thiessen Polygons 293 Area Patterns 295 Distance and Adjacency 296 Other Polygonal Arrangement Measures 297 Linear Patterns 297 Line Densities 298 Nearest Neighbors and Line Intercepts 298 Direction and Circular Statistics 300 Connectivity of Linear Objects 303 Gravity Model 306 Routing and Allocation 307 Terms 309 Review Questions 310 References 311 Chapter 14 Map Overlay 313 Learning Objectives 313 The Cartographic Overlay 314 Point-In-Polygon and Line-In-Polygon Overlay 316 Polygon Overlays 318 Why Perform an Overlay? 318 Types of Map Overlay 319 Types of Vector Overlays 323 Graphical Overlay 324 Topological Vector Overlay 326 A Note about Error in Overlay 326 Dasymetric Mapping 328 Terms 330 Review Questions 331 References 331 Chapter 15 Cartographic Modeling 333 Learning Objectives 334 Model Components 334 The Cartographic Model 335 Types of Cartographic Models 337 Inductive and Deductive Modeling 339 Factor Selection 339 Model Flowcharting 340 Working Through the Model 342 Conflict Resolution 347 Sample Cartographic Models 348 Model Implementation 351 Model Verification 352 Terms 356 Review Questions 356 References 357 UNIT 5 GIS OUTPUT AND DESIGN 359 Chapter 16 Cartography and Visualization 361 Learning Objectives 361 Output: The Display of Analysis 362 Cartographic Output 363 Thematic Maps and Cartograms 364 Multivariate Display 369 Dynamic and Interactive Display 371 Web Mapping and Visualization 372 Virtual and Immersion Environments 374 Mapping the Temporal Dimension 374 Noncartographic Output 375 Tables and Charts 376 Design Considerations 377 Terms 380 Review Questions 380 References 381 Chapter 17 GIS Design 383 Learning Objectives 384 Application Design 385 Some General Systems Characteristics 387 Project Definition 388 Analytical Model Design 389 Components and Procedures 389 GIS Tools for Solving Problems 390 Selecting the Software 390 Scientific Models and GIS 390 Database Design 391 Modeling Tools 391 Establishing the Effective Spatial Domain of the Model 392 Study Area 393 Scale, Resolution, and Level of Detail 393 Classification 394 Coordinate System and Projection 394 Conceptual, Logical, and Physical Models 395 Institutional/System Design 395 GIS Information Products 396 How Information Products Drive the GIS 396 Organizing the Local Views 397 Avoiding Design Creep 398 View Integration 399 System Implementation 399 The Institutional Setting for GIS Operations 400 The System and the Outside World 400 Internal Players 401 External Players 402 Terms 403 Review Questions 403 References 404 Appendix A Software and Data Sources 405 Appendix B Using the World Wide Web to Find Data and GIS Examples 411 Glossary 413 Index 435 Photo Credits 443