When compared to classical sciences such as math, with roots in prehistory, and physics, with roots in antiquity, geographical information science (GISci) is the new kid on the block. Its theoretical foundations are therefore still developing and data quality and uncertainty modeling for spatial data and spatial analysis is an important branch of that theory. Principles of Modeling Uncertainties in Spatial Data and Spatial Analyses outlines the foundational principles and supplies a firm grasp of the disciplines' theoretical underpinnings.

Comprehensive, Systematic Review of Methods for Handling Uncertainties

The book summarizes the principles of modeling uncertainty of spatial data and spatial analysis, and then introduces the developed methods for handling uncertainties in spatial data and modeling uncertainties in spatial models. Building on this foundation, the book goes on to explore modeling uncertainties in spatial analyses and describe methods for presentation of data as quality information. Progressing from basic to advanced topics, the organization of the contents reflects the four major theoretical breakthroughs in uncertainty modeling: advances in spatial object representation, uncertainty modeling for static spatial data to dynamic spatial analyses, uncertainty modeling for spatial data to spatial models, and error description of spatial data to spatial data quality control.

Determine Fitness-of-Use for Your Applications

Modeling uncertainties is essential for the development of geographic information science. Uncertainties always exist in GIS and are then propagated in the results of any spatial analysis. The book delineates how GIS can be a better tool for decision-making and demonstrates how the methods covered can be used to control the data quality of GIS products.

About the Author
Wenzhong Shi

Reviews

Wenzhong Shi's primary innovation is the integration of positional uncertainty and attribute uncertainty for both data and analysis. He presents case studies using common GIS techniques to demonstrate approaches that describe positional uncertainties in data and also to show how they would affect the results of analysis. His book is a well-organized text, emphasizing the recent literature on positional uncertainty. ... [The book] provides a template for the incorporation of spatial and attribute uncertainty in spatial analysis, and the template could be expanded to techniques more commonly employed by regional scientists. ... This text is an important reference for someone embarking on a research effort in spatial data uncertainty and modeling ...

-Eun-Hye Enki Yoo and Jared Aldstadt, Department of Geography, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), in Journal of Regional Science, Vol. 51, No. 4, 2011

Book Information
ISBN 9780367577247
Author Wenzhong Shi
Format Paperback
Page Count 454
Imprint CRC Press
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 840g