METHODOLOGY

Various different GIS techniques were used to collect, prepare and analyze the data in this study.

  1. To begin with, data was downloaded from the various different sources.
  2. All of the variables were calculated and manually inputted into the base map (neighborhoods) shapefile’s attribute table that originally only contained an ID and the neighbourhood’s name attached to spatial data.
    1. To manually input data, you must know what kind of data you are inputting. This is a link that helped me understand the different data types as they define data in attribute tables.
  3. In order to export the map to IDRISI and retain the attribute data, each variable of the attribute table, and consequently the study, was used to create IDRISI raster files.
    1. First the shapefile was converted into a raster.
      1. ArcToolbox > Conversion Tools > To Raster > Polygon to Raster
    2. Then the Raster was converted to ASCII
      1. ArcToolbox > Conversion Tools > From Raster > Raster to ASCII
    3. In IDRISI, the file was then imported
      1. File > Import > Special Formats > ESRI Specific > ARCRASTER
      2. Within this module, the projection was set to UTM 49N.
      3. ‘Output file will change real values to integer’, this box was only checked when values were lesser than 30,000
  4. Once the map was exported to IDRISI, fresh palettes were created in the symbol workshop to better represent the data in IDRISI using choropleth color schemes. This was done for every map created.

These maps were then recorded into a comprehensive infographic that attempts to effectively visualize the information.