Module 3

Let’s Get Started (Diagnostic Test)

1. D.
2. D.
3. D.
4. D.
5. D.
6. D.
7. D.
8. D.
9. D.
10. D.

Let’s Get Started (Activity)

1. What is the difference between data and information?
 Data does not have any specific purpose whereas Information carries a meaning
that has been assigned by interpreting data.

2. What are the differences between spatial and attribute data?

 Spatial data refers to the shape, size and location of the feature while attribute
data is information appended in tabular format to spatial features.

3. Identify each of the files in Table 3.1 according to their extension.

 filename.txt - TXT is a file extension for a text file and it indicates the file is a text
document.
 filename.doc - is used by the Microsoft Word program.
 filename.pdf - stands for the Portable Document Format
 filename.jpg - digital image format
 filename.tif - stands for “Tagged Image Format File” and used for professional
photography.
 filename.html – used to create web pages
 filename.xml - stands for Extensible Markup Language.
  filename.zip – compressed archive

4. Search for and download three different simple text or flat files. Open them in a word
processor and spreadsheet program. Use the search and replace function to change the
delimiters (e.g., from commas to tabs or vice versa).

5. The US Bureau of Census distributes geospatial data as TIGER files. What are they?
 The geodatabases contain national coverage (for geographic boundaries or
features) or state coverage (boundaries within state). These files do not include
demographic data, but they contain geographic entity codes that can be linked
to the Census Bureau’s demographic data

6. Identify resources and websites on the Internet that can help you make sense of file
extensions.
 https://www.yourhtmlsource.com/starthere/fileformats.html

Let’s Get Started (Activity)

1. What are the costs and benefits of using primary data instead of secondary data?
 Resolve specific research issues.
 Better accuracy.
 A higher level of control.
 Up-to-date information.
 You are the owner of the information

2. Refer to the Federal Geographic Data Committee website (http://www.fgdc.gov) and

describe in detail what information should be included in a metadata file. Why are
metadata and standards important?
 Metadata helps users find relevant information and discover resources. Using a
standards-based approach, organizing the data helps ensure interoperability
between systems, and also increases data discovery and access.
Let’s Get Started (Activity)
1. Identify five possible sources for data on the gross domestic product (GDP) for the
countries in Africa.
 https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/ZAF
 https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/gdp?continent=africa
 https://www.statista.com/statistics/240665/gdp-of-africa/
 https://data.oecd.org/gdp/gross-domestic-product-gdp.htm
  https://www.statista.com/statistics/1120999/gdp-of-african-countries-by-
country/

2. Identify two sources for geographic data (boundary files) for Africa.
 https://www.nasa.gov/
 https://www.usgs.gov/

3. What kind of geographic data does the United Nations provide?

 Spatial data infrastructures provide the institutional and technical foundation of
policies, standards and procedures that enable organizations and information
systems to interact in a way that facilitates spatial data discovery, evaluation and
applications.