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PROPOSALPROJECT TOPICSEach group has the freedom to choose their own project topic. This page will provide sample topics. A group has the freedom to develop their own topic if they wish. A list of potential projects is currently in development. Please contact the instructors if you would like to suggest a project. |
PROBLEM SOLVING METHODOLOGY AND PROJECT DESIGNNote: Content adapted from chapter 12 of: Heywood, I., Cornelius, S. and S. Carver, 1998. An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, Addison Wesley Longman Ltd., New York. PROBLEM-SOLVING APPROACHSoft Systems
Multiple users with different needs all using the same system, e.g. a GIS for people choosing a home Hard Systems
Model reality or well defined scenarios, e.g. a GIS showing where homes for sale are located PHASES OF HARD SYSTEMS DESIGNLexical Phase1. Define the problem
Review of similar/associated work Needs Analysis Problem statement which clearly identifies the question to be answered.
Temporal extent Major Assumptions already established
Data sources + georeferencing (include error levels) Entity spatial definition (point, line, polygon, volume)
Data sources + available error levels Attribute measurement level and units Parsing Phase1. Conceptual Data Model
Identify topological features of data within data layers or between data objects. Grid resolution or fuzzy tolerance Specify linkages between attribute tables
Linkages between attributes and entities Linkages between attribute tables
Specify application specific data models within GIS Specify georeferencing standards within GIS Modeling Phase1. Data Flow
Clearly indicate interfaces to analytical models external to GIS
Define methods for analytical modeling (e.g. regression, clustering etc.) Perform analysis external to GIS which only supplies inputs. Analysis Phase
Validate: use real world validation or perform error analysis Document: identify what was accomplished in terms of initial problem and what can be improved upon. DATA DICTIONARYAll projects are required to create a Data Dictionary for each data layer they create (either through analysis on existing GIS data or imported data). For the purposes of this course you can use the data dictionary format established for the Humber River watershed database (see example), or the ArcGIS Metadata format found in ArcCatalog. All groups will be required to produce these data dictionaries as part of their final report.If you are making up a new project you may want to look at the National Topographic Database Data Dictionaries. ASSESSMENT WILL BE BASED ON:
conciseness (problem clearly defined, proposal sticks to lexical phase) extent to which proposal is realistic amount of research put into lexical phase PRESENTATIONA presentation by each group is required (15 minutes + 5 minutes for questions), but not marked. It can either be done by a member or all members of a group. Use of Power Point or Web is encouraged. |