Digital Humanities and Social Sciences: Mapping

https://infoguides.rit.edu/prf.php?id=5b71a4fd-7cdb-11ed-9922-0ad758b798c3

Why use Mapping Technologies?

The DHSS field utilizes geographic information systems (GIS) technologies to analyze spatial data and produce maps. Specifically, digital mapping is used as a means of visualization to communicate geographic information and geospatial data. 


What can you do with digital mapping? 

  • Georeference older maps to current maps
  • Statistical analysis of geographic data - including heat mapping and interpolation
  • Demonstrate demographic changes in New York since 1950
  • Pin photos to their geographic locations
  • Calculate the most common professions by region in the United States
  • Visualize the change in acreage of rainforests in South America

Google MyMaps

Google MyMaps is a mapping tool that allows you to show relationships between data and maps generated by Google Maps and Google Earth.

This is useful for visualizing datasets that use coordinate data as you can easily import the dataset, define the coordinate fields, and Google MyMaps will automatically populate the map with your data. Additionally, you can add shapelayers to further illustrate geographic data relationships.

QGIS

Georeferencing allows you to overlay maps to find relationships between them. The video below will show you an example; bear in mind that the software has many more features that are not covered. 

Getting Started

Google MyMaps

ArcGIS

QGIS

Use of RIT resources is reserved for current RIT students, faculty and staff for academic and teaching purposes only.
Please contact your librarian with any questions.

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