SPATIAL & NON-SPATIAL DATA

Spatial Data
Orientation of the object
Shape
Relative position with respect to other features
More importantly, defined and described by
coordinates (x,y)
Non-Spatial
Known as attribute data
Length, area, density, depth of soil, lithologies
In tabular form

SPATIAL DATA: OBJECTS IN A MAP

Lithology map & landslides distribution

NON-SPATIAL DATA: ATTRIBUTES

Also known as attribute
data
Mainly tabular data
representing rows and
columns
Rows representing
individual sampling
points
Column represent
properties/parameter
for the respective
sampling points

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPATIAL &

NON-SPATIAL DATA

Each object is
identified by
descriptions

DATA STRUCTURE
Data Structure

Vector

Raster

Grid

Line

Point

Polygon

VECTOR STRUCTURE
Also known as spaghetti model
Presented as
a)Point
b)Line
c)Polygon
All three structures (point, line, polygon) are basic
topological concept
Containing coordinates
Usually accompanied with non-spatial data
Ways of input includes digitizing using manual digitising
or on screen digitising (on the fly)

VECTOR STRUCTURE: POINT

spatial object with no
area
geographical

representation of
coordinates (lat, long)
wells, landslide locations,
sampling stations, electric
pole
Landslide locations

VECTOR STRUCTURE: LINE

connected sequence
of points
no area
the line itself is not a
coordinate location,
but coordinate/location
along a line is defined
at a specific point
Lineaments, roads,
drainage line, contour
lines
Drainage

VECTOR STRUCTURE: POLYGON

A closed area
Usually divided into
different area

Land use,
geological map,
soil map

Soil map

TOPOLOGY IN VECTOR DATA

The way in which features in GIS are connected to
each other
Spatial relationship between features (e.g. overlap,
adjacency, connectivity

TOPOLOGY IN VECTOR DATA

Entity

Requirement

Point

Geographical reference

Line

Ordered set of points with define start

and end points which also give the line
direction

Area (polygon)

How the line or point is connected to

define the boundary

TOPOLOGY IN VECTOR DATA

http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/summer02articles/arcgis83-brings.html

REPRESENTING VECTOR DATA

emyshoran.blogspot.com

RASTER DATA STRUCTURE

Continuous surface
Represented by pixels
Each pixel carries value
Slope angle map, slope
curvature map, elevation

map

Raster type elevation map

TRANSFORMING VECTOR TO RASTER

Vector elevation data (contour)

Raster elevation data

Vector on Raster

www.automation-drive.com

ADVANTAGE: VECTOR & RASTER

Vector

Raster

Good representation of the real

world
Compact data structure
Topology can be described
Accurate graphics
Retrieval, updating and
generalisation of graphics and
attributes are possible
graphic output is easy to
visualise
No data conversion is needed
Geographic location of data
can be retained

Simple data structures

Overlay /combination of data
with remotely sensed data is
easy
Spatial analysis is easy
Simulation is easy because of
the size and shape are the
same (pixel)
Good for continuous data (e.g.
elevation, slope angle)

DISADVANTAGE: VECTOR & RASTER

Vector
Complex data structure
Overlay of data is difficult
Analysis is difficult
Unsuitable to represent
continuous data (e.g. elevation,
slope angle)

Raster
Resolution problem
Unsuitable to represent linear or curvy
lines
Choice of resolution and problem with
generalisation occur when converting
vector to raster
High volumes of data (the higher the
resolution, the more time it takes for
processing)
Simplification of high volume data to
reduce data size will involve
generalisation
Not as beautiful as vector in terms of
presentation
Network linkages is hard to establish

DATA ERROR
Terminology:
a) Error: How far is the departure/difference from the real
value
b) Accuracy: The degree of the measured data close to its
true value
c) Precision: The level of detail. 160. 153m is more precise
than 160m
d) Bias: Consistency error
e) Resolution: How well the smallest feature can be
captured in the data
f) Generalisation: the degree of simplification when
handling the data

http://www.nuim.ie/staff/dpringle/gis/gis11.pdf

SOURCES OF DATA ERROR

a) Data Input Error
I.

Primary error
The original dataset such as a hardcopy map already containing
error, therefore the input data into the GIS system will also contain
this error
II. Secondary error
Refers to the errors that occurred during the process of entering the
data
b) Data Processing Error
Conversion of vector to raster. Converting vector to raster will result
in topological error. The real representation of vector will also
change due to the selection of cell size in the conversion process.
Small features may also lost due to cell size choices
http://www.nuim.ie/staff/dpringle/gis/gis11.pdf

SOURCES OF DATA ERROR

c) Non-spatial error
Refers to attribute error where error occurred during
description/name/label were mistakenly entered by user
d) Conceptual error
Refers to how different people view the real world. For example,
how do you view a building in GIS, a point or polygon
e) To err is human

bionic eye

shaky hand

perception

patience

intelligence

distraction-your phone?

DATA ERROR EXAMPLE : SHRINK MAP

mappinglondon.co.uk

EXAMPLE DATA ERROR: CONVERSION

Rasterize

Vector

Raster

EXAMPLE DATA ERROR: CONVERSION

Rasterize

http://tutor.nmmu.ac.za/uniGISRegisteredArea/Material/Module%206/Adobe%20Files/C6%20S
ection02.pdf

EXAMPLE DATA ERROR: CONVERSION

Elevation in raster

Contour lines
generated from raster

Original contour
lines

How do you
perceive a
feature

Point?

Polygon?

How do you
perceive a
feature

2 lines?

1 line?

REFERENCES
Advantage & Disadvantage of Data structure
http://planet.botany.uwc.ac.za/nisl/GIS/GIS_primer/pag
e_19.htm
Chandra, A.M. & Ghosh, S.K. 2006. Remote Sensing and
geographical information system. Alpha Science: Oxford
Bonham-Carter, G.F. 1994. Geographic Information
Systems for Geoscientists: Modelling with GIS. Ontario:
Pergamon
Burrough, P.A. 1991. Principles of Geographical
Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment.
Oxford: Calendron Press
For internal circulation only