5.

THE DOT DENSITY MAP

A dot density map can also be simply called a dot map. Although any point symbol can be
used, it has become customary to use small dots—thus the name dot density mapping. These are
also quantitative maps; information pertaining to density and distribution is gained by visual
inspection of the spatially arrayed symbols to arrive at relative magnitudes.

In the simplest case, the technique involves the selection of an appropriate point symbol to
represent a quantity of a geographically distributed phenomenon. The symbol form (size, shape,
color, and so on) does not change, but the frequency of dots changes from area to area in
proportion to the number of objects being represented. The technique works best for data that are
tabulated in enumeration areas as totals, and has been used extensively for mapping agricultural
production data and population data; see Figure Dot Density Map below.

Figure Dot Density Map: The elements of the typical dot map include the dots, reference political
boundaries, and a legend that includes dot value and, if possible, representative densities taken from the
map. The reader gets the idea that the amount of the item varies from place to place.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dot Density Mapping

The advantages include;

1. The rationale of mapping is easily understood by the map reader.

2. It is an effective way of illustrating variations in spatial density.
3. Original data may be recovered from the map if the map has been designed for that
purpose.
4. More than one data set may be illustrated on the same map. As with any bivariate or
multivariate map, there should be a distributional or functional relationship between the
sets.
5. GIS and mapping software that support this technique allow the cartographer to
quickly view and evaluate many dot value and size combinations with relative ease.
Possible disadvantages of dot mapping would include:

1. Reader perception of dot densities is not linear. A person viewing an area with 10
times the number of actual dots compared with another area will usually not estimate
values in those two areas in the same proportion as depicted by the dots on the map.
2. GIS and mapping software typically randomize dots within enumeration units,
resulting in dots that may not be close to the phenomena they represent.
3. Ancillary data layers or imagery should be used in controlling dot placement, but in
many cases this is not practicable. Possible workarounds are discussed later in the
chapter.
4. Large ranges in data values make it very difficult to select a single dot value that is
visually acceptable across areas of highest and lowest density.
5. When the map has been designed for optimum portrayal of relative spatial density, it is
practically impossible for the reader to recover original data values.

Data Suitability

There are several data considerations that should be made before selecting this method. As with
the choropleth map, this technique is used extensively for data that are tabulated in enumeration
areas. Unlike the choropleth map, where some sort of derived data is generally desirable, totals
or non-derived quantities are used in dot mapping. Common examples include agricultural
production data (such as crops, crop productivity (in bushels or tons), numbers of livestock or
farms), and population totals. In these cases, one dot may represent 500 bushels of harvested
wheat, or 1,000 persons.

Data sets with extremely small or large attribute data ranges are often more difficult to portray
effectively with dot maps than with other thematic map types. Dot maps use a single number to
represent the value of the dot. Data with small attribute ranges will produce a spatial distribution
that is uniform (see Figure V). If similar numbers are uniformly distributed in the enumeration
units, then construction of a dot map should not take place.

Figure V: Dot Maps Do Not Work Well For Attribute Data That Have A Small Range Or Uniform
Distribution.

Setting the dot value and dot size are two crucial components of dot mapping. For example,
many state population maps are made from county level enumeration units with huge differences
in rural and urban population totals. If the dot value is set so that the distribution is clearly seen
in urban areas (a dense pattern of just coalescing dots), the rural areas will become vacant. If the
dot value is adjusted to see the pattern in rural areas, the urban areas become a solid fill of
indiscernible dots (see Figure VI).

Figure VI: Dot Maps Do Not Work Well With Data That Have an Extremely Large Attribute Data Range
CONCEPTUAL ELEMENTS OF A DOT MAP

Most dot maps are constructed at small or intermediate scales. At these scales, attribute data are
normally collected in tabular form for enumeration areas. Therefore, the use of the term “dot
map” is applied to a many-to-one situation: each dot represents more than one mapped element.
Each dot can be thought of as a spatial proxy because it represents at a point some quantity that
actually occupies geographical space, see Figure Elements of a Dot Map. These geographical
spaces are called dot polygons or territorial domains. They do not normally appear on the final
map but are assumed to exist around each dot, making up the total enumeration area.

Figure Elements of a Dot Map: Each dot functions as a spatial proxy for the item it represents. Around
each spatial proxy is its polygon or territorial domain. Political or statistical units are normally included to
provide the reader with spatial cues, but the boundaries of territorial domains are not. These domains help
the mapmaker in conceptualizing and producing the map.

Dot Value and Size

Closely related to map scale is the determination of dot value —the numerical value represented
by each dot (see Figure VII). Extreme care must be exercised in selecting dot value and size
combinations, because they affect the map reader’s impression and understanding of the map.
Dots that are too small don’t always stand out as proper figures relative to the rest of the map.
When dots become too large the map takes on a crude appearance, especially if the dot value is
too low. Dot values that are too high give the impression that the dots have been precisely
placed, which is not the goal of dot density mapping. It is difficult to list definite rules for
selection of dot values and size, but here are some general guidelines:
Figure VII: The Effect of Changing Dot Value and Size. The visual effects of changing dot value and size
can be dramatic

It is difficult to list definite rules for selection of dot values and size, but here are some general
guidelines:

1. Choose a dot value that result in two or three dots being placed in the statistical area
that has the least mapped quantity.

2. Choose a dot value and size such that the dots just begin to coalesce in the statistical
area that has the highest density of the mapped value (see Figure VIII). When the
symbols begin to overlap, the perceived concentration of symbols will be increased.

3. It is preferable to select a dot value that is easily understood. For example, 5, 500 and
1,000 are better than 8, 49, or 941.

4. Select dot value and size to harmonize with the map scale so that the total impression
of the map is neither too accurate nor too general. This will require experimentation.

5. Smaller dots may appear as squares on the monitor due to the shape of the pixels. This
is not usually a problem in printed maps, as they will appear correctly on the printed page
due to the higher resolution of the printer compared to the monitor. In virtual maps, the
dots will have to be made larger or have zoom capability to avoid the squares.

Figure VIII: DOT COALESCENCE. Dots should

begin to coalesce in the densest part of the
map.
DOT VALUE AND SIZE: Changes in dot value and size will produce very different maps. The dot value
in (a) is too large, leading to a map that appears too empty. In (b), the dot size is too small, again leading
to a map that looks too empty. Dot size in (c) is still too small, though larger than in (b). Dot value in (d)
remains at 300 persons, but dot size is now larger, giving a better overall impression for the map.

Legend Design

The most traditional dot map legend is a simple statement indicating the unit value of the dot. It
is good practice for the legend to indicate that a dot represents a value but does not equal it.
Including the dot symbol as part of the statement is not necessary. Also strongly recommended is
the inclusion of a second component: a set of at least three squares (or other areas) that illustrate
three different representative densities taken from the map (see Figure X). The boxes usually
contain a number of dots that illustrate a typical low, medium, and high density area on the map.
These sample density boxes help readers interpret relative dot densities.

Figure X: Designing Dot Legends. A typical dot legend (from Figure Dot Density Map, see Page 1 above)
includes a notation of dot value (a). We also recommend including boxes with representative densities
across the range of data values (b). The size of the density boxes and the densities represented are
determined in accordance with the map scale. A temporary scale bar can be used to size the density boxes.
Ancillary text for clarifying randomization and the enumeration unit is also recommended (c). This
statement does not have to be part of the legend, and may be placed in whatever manner keeps the map
visually balanced.