ANALYSIS IN ARCGIS

DEFINITION

“A systematic examination of a problem or

complex entity in order to provide new
information from what is already known.”
WHY DO ANALYSIS?

 To confirm or deny any hypothesis

 To explore data

 To develop a visualization
process

Link
Questions usually answered
 What exists at a particular location on the face
of the earth (locational analysis)?
 When is a specific spatial condition satisfied?

 What has spatially changed over time?

 What kind of pattern will emerge from

geographical data?
 What will happen if certain criteria is entered
in to a predetermined scenario?
Analysis - further
 Locational Analysis – Mapped data primarily
indicates where objects are located but cannot
explain why.
 Satisfying a Spatial Condition – Frequently a GIS user
wants to discover whether the mapped data will
meet certain conditions.
 Temporal analysis – Analyze changing patterns over
time by storing and comparing maps of different
dates.
 Emerging Patterns – Analyze if two or more things
vary similarly over space.
 Evaluating Different Scenarios – Sometimes a
change in assumptions results in a forecast that is
substantially different. Being able to answer a
“What if …?” scenario.
 Analytical and operational functions
 Projection and Spatial Transformation Utilities
 Spatial Retrieval, Classification and
Measurement Functions
 Logical and Visual Overlaying Capabilites

 Proximity and Network Functions

 Map Algebra Utilites

 Output Generation
 Tools in analyzing
(All tools are maintained as toolsets in arcgis
toolboxes)
A toolbox can contain tools, toolsets, and scripts and is
organized according to the collection of
geoprocessingcommands it contains. Is available both in
ArcMap and ArcCatalog

A toolset can contain tools, toolsets, and scripts and

is organized according to the geoprocessing
commands it contains. Is available both in ArcMap
and ArcCatalog
 Types of tools and toolsets
System Tools – Installed with the software
Model Tools – These tools are created using
the ModelBuilder. Some of the tools in the
system toolboxes are model tools.
Script Tools – These tools are created by
the user using a scripting language, for e.g,
Python, Javascript, VBScript. Some of the
tools in the system toolboxes are script
tools.
How to access the toolboxes?
 Through the ArcToolBox Window in ArcCatalog
and ArcMap

 Access online Geoprocessing tasks hosted by

ArcGIS Server through internet and intranet
ArcGIS Server is a comprehensive Web-based GIS
that provides a range of out-of-the-box
applications and services for mapping, analysis,
data collection, editing and management of
spatial information.
Some examples of analysis
 Find coastal sage scrub near proposed roads
 Analyze the different tree types near
Wallenberg Hall
 conclusion
 GIS is an integrated approach to manage and
analyze map and attribute data.
 The increasing importance of GIS can be
attributed to its ability to support decision
making.
 Contingent on:
Data accuracy
Data quality
Data scale
 Data documentation is very important to
assure the integrity of the data.
Further readings
 The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 1 -
Geographic Patterns and Relationships – Andy
Mitchell
 The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 2
Spatial Measurements and Statistics – Andy
Mitchell