In this post, I would like us to discuss and demystify GIS - Geographic Information Systems and at the end of it all, come up with ways in which we can use GIS to enhance research in HIV/AIDS and related fields.
GIS is an information system, and just like any other information system, it has components of hardware, software, people, etc.
The major difference between GIS and other conventional information systems is that GIS works with spatial (or geographical data) such as location of residence of a patient. Drilling down to databases, a GIS database is much like the conventional database, except that it has spatial attributes (fields) in addition to the ordinary attributes.
Several GIS software are available, the main commercial one being ArcGIS (developed by ESRI). There are some good opensource solutions such as Quantum GIS. You nay google, download and try it out. There are also Map Window, GRASS, etc.
A common misconception is that GIS is all about maps. Nothing could be farthest from the truth. GIS lets you visualize, question,
analyze, interpret, and understand data to reveal otherwise hidden relationships,
patterns, and trends in more ways than just maps. GIS is a diverse, versatile field with lots of background components of mathematics, statistics, data management, and geography. And if you like these technical subjects, then GIS is surely the place to be.
Sometimes people think that Google Maps or Open Layers are GIS. They are not, instead they are simply map visualizing systems.
ReplyDeleteQuantum GIS has since become QGIS
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