Chapter-1: Concept, types, collection, classification and representation of geographical data

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Concept of Data

1.3 Concept of Geographical Data

1.4 Types of Data (Geographical Data)

1.4.1 Qualitative data (Attribute)

1.4.2 Quantitative data (Variable)

1.4.2.1 Continuous variable and discontinuous or discrete variable

1.4.2.2 Difference between Continuous variable and discontinuous or discrete variable

1.4.3 Uni-variate data and Bi-variate data

1.4.4 Difference between Uni-variate data and Bi-variate data

1.4.5 Independent variable and Dependent variable

1.4.6 Difference between Qualitative data (Attribute) and Quantitative data (Variable)

1.4.7 Primary data

1.4.8 Secondary data

1.4.9 Advantages of use of primary data over the secondary data

1.4.10 Difference between primary and secondary data

1.5 Methods of data collection

1.5.1 Methods of primary data collection

1.5.1.1 Observation method

1.5.1.1.1 Direct observation method

1.5.1.1.1a Advantages and disadvantages of direct observation method

1.5.1.1.2 Indirect observation method

1.5.1.1.2a Advantages and disadvantages of indirect observation method

1.5.1.1.3 Participation observation

1.5.1.1.3a Advantages and disadvantages of participation method

1.5.1.2 Interview method

1.5.1.2.1 Interviewing by Questionnaire method

1.5.1.2.2 Characteristics of standard questionnaire

1.5.1.2.3 Direct Questionnaire method

1.5.1.2.3a Advantages and disadvantages of Direct Questionnaire method

1.5.1.2.4 Postal method of Questionnaire survey

1.5.1.2.4a Advantages and disadvantages of Postal Questionnaire method

1.5.1.2.5 Interviewing by Informal method

1.5.1.2.5a Advantages and disadvantages of Informal interview method

1.5.1.2.6a Advantages and disadvantages of Telephone interview method

1.5.1.3 Sampling method

1.5.1.3.1 Advantages and disadvantages of sampling method

1.5.1.4 Experimentation method

1.5.1.4.1 Advantages and disadvantages of experimental method

1.5.1.5 Local sources method

1.5.1.5.1 Advantages and disadvantages of local sources method

1.5.2 Methods of secondary data collection

1.5.2.2 Unpublished sources

1.5.2.3 Advantages and disadvantages of secondary data collection

1.6 Measurement scales in geographical system

1.6.1 Nominal scale

1.6.1.1 Characteristics of nominal data

1.6.1.2 Application in geographical study

1.6.2 Ordinal scale

1.6.2.1 Characteristics of ordinal data

1.6.2.2 Application in geographical study

1.6.3 Interval scale

1.6.3.1 Characteristics of interval data

1.6.3.2 Application in geographical study

1.6.4 Ratio scale

1.6.4.1 Characteristics of ratio data

1.6.4.2 Application in geographical study

1.7 Processing of data

1.7.1 Classification of data

1.7.1.1 Objectives of data classification

1.7.1.2 Characteristics of ideal data classification

1.7.1.3 Types of classification

1.7.1.3.1 Geographical classification (based on location or space)

1.7.1.3.2 Chronological classification (based on time or period)

1.7.1.3.3 Qualitative classification (attribute)

1.7.1.3.4 Quantitative classification (numerical)

1.7.2 Tabulation of data

1.7.2.1 Essentials of an ideal table

1.7.2.2 Types of table

1.7.2.2.1 General purpose table

1.7.2.2.2 Special purpose table

1.7.2.2.3 Simple table

1.7.2.2.4 Complex table

1.7.3 Frequency distribution

1.7.3.1 I