This is an open, exploratory project in which you can choose your topic, search for data and information,
and create a short write-up, and a short presentation to the class on what you learned.
- Choose a specific area of inrterest. For example instead of ‘ecology’ make it ‘avian
biodiversity in Costa Rica.’ (topic ideas links below) - Find at least one peer-reviewed journal article that relates to your topic, and include
reference to this in your write-up - Search for, download and explore data sets – about three hours total for data work
- Try to open and use your data but if you are unable to do so it is okay
- Keep a journal of your data search including datasets you did not pursue, and of your efforts
to to open, display, and manipulate them. Show mapped data you used if you are able to do
that. If not show images that others have created from specific datasets. It is okay if you
don’t succeed in opening a dataset but in addition to the write-up submit a data exploration
journal. Post links to datasets. - Students will critique one another’s drafts
- Submit a 3-4 page (450 – 600 words) write-up summarizing the state of knowledge and an
open question/ an ongoing research question in your subject area. Describe briefly available
datasets that you found.
For topic ideas:
https://gisgeography.com/gis-applications-uses/
click on show Table of Contents to start with a subject area you are interested in
https://geography.osu.edu/tracks/gis/issues
https://grindgis.com/blog/gis-applications-uses
Sample Solution