The - Medrix
How to use GIS to monitor outcomes of health care research and projects
Robert Catherman
Director of MEDRIX Mapping Academy MEDRIX™
December 2013
Edition E.3.4
[pic]
Monitoring Health Care Outcomes Using GIS
How to use GIS to monitor outcomes
of health care research and projects
Robert Catherman
Director of MEDRIX Mapping Academy
MEDRIX™
December 2013
Edition E.3.4
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Preface
The purpose of this handbook is to provide a standardized source of information for developing and operating a Monitoring and Evaluation System using Geographic Information System outputs to display program and project outcomes.
This handbook includes:
• Part One: Monitoring and Evaluating Health Care Outcomes.
• Part Two: Creating Reference Maps.
• Part Three: Working with Data.
• Part Four: Creating Thematic Maps.
• Part Five: Formatting Maps for Printing.
• Appendices: Information and forms referenced in the main sections of the handbook.
MEDRIX declares the contents of this handbook to be open-source, available without charge. Copies of this handbook are available for downloading from the MEDRIX website.
Users assume full responsibility for the outcomes of constructing and operating GIS-M&E systems using these instructions.
A handbook edition number identifies the most up-to-date information. The letter before the edition number signifies the language of the document. The first number identifies the version; the number following the period indicates the level of minor revision including corrections and updates. For example, the edition number “E.2.3” indicates this is the second English version released for publication with three levels of minor revisions. The edition number “V.2.2” indicates this is the Vietnamese translation of the English version E.2.2.
This handbook is designed to permit you, the user, to update pictures and information to reflect the realities in your part of the world. Feel free to substitute your own digital pictures to make the information more relevant to readers in your region.
Your feedback about this handbook is welcome. Improving the quality of open source documents is the responsibility of all who use the information.
Submit suggestions and recommended changes for this handbook to:
Director of MEDRIX Mapping Academy
MEDRIX
PO Box 178
Redmond, WA 98073 USA
office@
Include the edition number of this handbook in any communications.
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Disclaimer
This publication is based on the collective experience of MEDRIX in monitoring and evaluating the software, methods and procedures described herein. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this work, any judgments as to the suitability of information for the reader’s purposes are the reader’s responsibility. MEDRIX does not extend any warranties, and assumes no responsibility, for the suitability of this information or the consequences of its use.
Acknowledgments
Dr. Joe Hannah, of faculty of Geography Department at University of Washington, my instructor in GEOG 360 who taught me principles of map making and how to effectively use GIS technology as well as shared frequent consultations over coffee during the development of this project.
Student Team A from University of Washington class GEOG 335, Service Learning Project, helped with the idea formulation and rough drafts of the first maps: students Geoffrey Morgan, Rahima Niyazova and Robert Sepler.
Student Team B from University of Washington class GEOG 469, Senior project, converted the ArcGIS instructions into instructions for using QGIS open source software: students Alyssa Knight, Duc Chi Du, Mike Ridgely, Pao Thao, and Thanh Nguyen. And thanks to Dr. Sarah Elwood and graduate student Joe Eckert for overseeing the 2011 Senior Project work.
Staff of Preventative Medicine department of Health Services, Thua Thien – Hue province, Vietnam, reviewed and critiqued the initial drafts and provided valuable input regarding data collection methods. Special thanks to Dr. Tu, Vice Director, for his enthusiastic support of the idea.
Mrs. Phạm Thị Thu Hà of MEDRIX staff in Hanoi, Vietnam, who prepared and refined the data collection forms, translating the English into Vietnamese.
Ms. Nguyễn Thị Tằm of IREB, Hue, Vietnam, provided translation help early in the project and co-authored an article for a joint Vietnamese-Korean conference held in Hue, Vietnam when these ideas were first aired to the general public.
Ms. Hoàng Ngọc Tường Vy, software engineer in Hue, Vietnam, who had no prior knowledge of GIS, carefully tested the accuracy and readability of the English instructions for creating the QGIS maps, corrected errors and made helpful suggestions for revisions.
Dr. Nguyễn Thụy Thị Hồng, while a PhD candidate at Washington State University, gave the instructions a thorough test, corrected some errors, and made numerous insightful suggestions for improving readability. She also began translation of the instructions from English into Vietnamese.
Mr. Dewey Calfee, reviewer extraordinaire, painstakingly followed these instructions to the letter and uncovered omitted steps, clarified imprecise wording and rewrote the introduction, all after starting from ground zero in learning to use GIS.
Student Team C from University of Washington class of 2012 GEOG 469, capstone project, investigated the capabilities and limitations of converting from desktop-based GIS software to on-line cloud-based GIS software - students Thong Nguyen and Thảo Vũ. Thanks to Dr. Timothy Nyerges for overseeing the Senior Project work.
Ms. Thảo Vũ, BA from UW in 2012, who worked as a summer intern at MEDRIX and completed the mapping case study included in the text.
Student Team D from University of Washington class of 2013 GEOG 469, capstone project, revised formatting to improve readability and added new material - students Anthony Caratao, Dan Kim and Matt Peterson. Thanks to Dr. Timothy Nyerges for overseeing their work.
Philip M. Condit, retired GIS professional with municipal government agencies, for editing revisions from QGIS 2.0 and change of case study material.
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 6
Part 1: Monitoring and Evaluating Health Care Outcomes 7
Chapter 2: About Monitoring and Evaluation Systems 8
Chapter 3 Integrating M&E and Geographic Information Systems 10
Chapter 4: Deciding if M&E-GIS is Appropriate for Your Situation 13
Chapter 5: Developing an M&E-GIS System for your Situation 14
Part 2: Creating Reference Maps 18
Chapter 6: Selecting GIS Software 19
Exercise 1: QGIS Software Installation for Windows PC 20
Chapter 7: GIS Terminology 22
Chapter 8: Locating GIS Maps 25
Exercise 2: GIS Map File Download 26
Chapter 9: Creating a Reference Map 27
Exercise 3: Creating a Province-Level Reference Map 28
Part 3: Working with Data 34
Chapter 10: Defining Data Requirements and Key Indicators 35
Chapter 11: Defining the Data Collection Process 37
Chapter 12: Designing and Creating a Data Input Table 39
Exercise 4: Create a data file for input to QGIS 42
Exercise 5: Create another data file for input to QGIS 43
Chapter 13: Training the Data Input Staff and Updating Field Reports 44
Chapter 14: Knowing Where You Are - Geographic Coordinates 45
Chapter 15: Determining Latitude and Longitude Coordinates 47
Part 4: Creating Thematic Maps 52
Chapter 16: Creating the Thematic Map 53
Exercise 6: Create a category thematic map 54
Exercise 7: Performing calculations in the attribute table 55
Exercise 8: Displaying categories with colors 57
Chapter 17: Adding Data to the Map 59
Exercise 9: Adding staff training data to the map 59
Exercise 10: Adding name labels to the map 61
Part 5: Formatting Maps for Printing 64
Chapter 18: Creating Maps for Printing 65
Exercise 11: Add legends, titles, and sources of data 65
Chapter 19: Updating data and printing maps 73
Exercise 12: Updating data from field reports 74
Exercise 13: Printing maps 75
Part 6: APPENDIXES 77
Appendix A: Installing QGIS on Mac 78
Appendix B: Continuation of GIS Use 79
Appendix C: How to take a screenshot 80
Index 82
1 Chapter 1: Introduction
Maps are familiar to most of us – maps are like good friends that help us find our way and orient us to our surroundings. On maps, we can easily see that “this is here and that is there” and we can gain a sense of the distance and direction between “here and there”.
In this handbook, we will challenge you to take a slightly different view of maps. We will be asking maps to help us think – think about items that have a spatial component as one of their many attributes. Specifically, we want to think about how we can monitor and evaluate the activities of a specific project so we can document positive outcomes, increase sustainability and develop effective solutions to problems we discover.
To reach our destination, we’ll explore the technical topic of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) methods that are used worldwide in many development projects. And we’ll use the technical tools of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to help us reach our goals.
This handbook is not intended to be a comprehensive text on either M&E or GIS. Excellent sources of information and instruction on both topics are referenced in each section of this handbook. The intent of this handbook is to provide a step-by-step guide to developing a combined M&E-GIS system and to emphasis some key points that apply to reaching this goal. Some of the key points come from lessons learned from experience with this methodology and some points come from taking advantage of specific features of M&E and GIS that support the goal we are working toward.
Let’s begin our journey.
Part 1: Monitoring and Evaluating Health Care Outcomes
1 Chapter 2: About Monitoring and Evaluation Systems
What is Monitoring and Evaluation?
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is a powerful management tool that can be used to improve the way governments, organizations and individuals achieve results. Just as governments, organizations and individuals need financial, human resource, and audit systems, they also need good performance feedback systems.
Monitoring is the process of data collection and measurement of progress toward program objectives.
Evaluation is the periodic assessment of changes in desired outcomes that can be attributable to a program’s interventions.
Recent history of M&E
Recent years have seen an evolution in the field of monitoring and evaluation. These changes have involved a movement away from traditional implementation-based approaches and toward new results-based approaches. Governments and organizations may successfully implement programs or policies but have they actually produced the intended results? Have government and organizations delivered on promises made to their stakeholders? For example, it is not enough to simply implement health programs and assume that successful implementation is equivalent to actual improvements in public health. It is important to examine if outcomes and impacts were achieved. The introduction of a results-based M&E system takes decision makers one-step further in assessing if and how goals are being achieved over time. These systems help to answer the all-important “so what” questions and respond to stakeholder’s growing demands for results.
How does M&E work?
M&E is important tool targeting two key elements to any project – effectiveness and sustainability. In the ideal situation, M&E should span the life cycle of the project providing a continuing stream of data and feedback. In the initial stages of the project, M&E can aid in developing and clarifying the goals and objectives. Once the project reaches operational status, M&E can promote greater transparency and accountability within organizations. Feedback from M&E during project execution means adjustments can be made to improve the prospect of sustaining successful outcomes. And, finally, using M&E techniques means that determining a project’s success or failure does not have to wait until project completion and final reporting.
Some ideas for creating an effective M&E system
There is no consensus on how many steps are necessary to build an effective M&E system. Kusek and Rist, in Ten Steps to a Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation System, 2004 describe a step-by-step approach that has been used in a number of developing countries in the design and construct of M&E systems.
Step One: Conducting a Readiness Assessment
Step Two: Agreeing on Outcomes to Monitor and Evaluate
Step Three: Developing Key Indicators to Monitor Outcomes
Step Four: Gathering Baseline Data on Indicators.
Step Five: Planning for Improvements—Setting Realistic Targets
Step Six: Monitoring for Results
Step Seven: Evaluative Information to Support Decision-making
Step Eight: Analyzing and Reporting Findings
Step Nine: Using the Findings
Step Ten: Sustaining the M&E System within the Organization
GIS - A missing but useful tool
Step Eight of this ten-step approach addresses “reporting findings” and suggests the use of “visual presentations—charts, graphs, and maps”. Examples of charts and graphs are included; and although maps are mentioned, no examples of using maps to report M&E findings are included.
This author’s experience is that using maps to present M&E results is one of the most effective methods of communicating outcomes in a way that is easily understood by many people from various backgrounds. The purpose of this article is to address some ways to use GIS maps for effective communication in support of the M&E process.
Summary
The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) management tool can improve the prospects of achieving desired outcomes for any project. Adding a GIS-based map output for the M&E results can improve the communications of results to management, stakeholders and end-users.
Additional information about M&E
Ten Steps to a Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation System, Kusek and Rist, The World Bank, 2004 (available in numerous languages online for free download)
2 Chapter 3
Integrating M&E and Geographic Information Systems
Why use maps to communicate a message?
Maps are a compact and elegant method of communicating information. With a well-designed map, a reader should be able to quickly interpret the displayed information without assistance. Today, the most efficient and effective method of producing maps that communicate your message is with a computer-based Geographic Information System.
What is GIS?
A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data. In the simplest terms, GIS is the merging of cartography, statistical analysis, and database technology.
History of M&E-GIS development
Maps have been used in monitoring and evaluation systems long before computers and technical names for processes were developed. One of the early adapters in 1854 was Dr. John Snow who depicted a cholera outbreak in London using points plotted on a map to represent the locations of individual deaths from cholera. His study of the distribution of cholera deaths led Dr. Snow to propose that the source of the disease was a contaminated water pump, the Broad Street Pump, whose handle he had removed in an effort to curtail the spread of the cholera outbreak.
See Figure 3.1 for an example of the type of map Snow used in the 1850s.
While the basic elements of topography and theme existed previously in cartography, the John Snow map was unique, using cartographic methods not only to depict but also to analyze clusters of geographically dependent phenomena. Dr. Snow’s use of a map to display the data he had collected is similar to the method we are proposing in this handbook.
The best book on the story of Dr. Snow is named “The Ghost Map.”
The author of the book, Steven Johnson, has prepared an excellent video summarizing the message of his book, which you should watch. This video is available on YouTube at
If the link is dead, search YouTube for “Steven Johnson The Ghost Map” and you should be able to find a short video that provides a summary on the book.
[pic]
Figure 3.1. E. W. Gilbert's version (1958) of John Snow's 1855 map of the cholera outbreak showing the clusters of cholera cases in the London epidemic of 1854.
Recent history of GIS
In the past several decades, most map making has moved from hand drawn maps to maps produced by computers using specialty software and taking advantage of connected printers for output.
How can M&E and GIS work together?
M&E and GIS have a fundamental difference: M&E is temporally focused – measuring changes and outcomes occurring over time and GIS is spatially oriented – identifying where the outcomes are occurring. Our challenge is to merge these two different views into one tool that will display useful information in support of a successful outcome for the project. How we accomplish this depends heavily on selecting appropriate, meaningful data for monitoring the project.
Case Study and Exercises:
The exercises we will use in this curriculum originated from a project completed for the not-for-profit organization MEDRIX working in Vietnam since the mid-1990s. MEDRIX has a long history of sponsoring training of medical professionals using a WHO/UNICEF-designed course titled Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI).
Training has targeted the health care professionals in the nine districts of Thua Thien - Hue province in central Vietnam. The nine districts vary greatly in population density of residents.
The question this project proposes to answer is this:
Is MEDRIX training health workers in proportion to the percentage of each district’s resident population where the health professionals work?
Summary
At this juncture, a good understanding of M&E is critical before deciding to proceed further. GIS can be learned “on the way” if you decide to move forward. The following chapters will help you build your knowledge and skills and offer guidance in developing an M&E-GIS system.
Chapter 4:
Deciding if M&E-GIS is Appropriate for Your Situation
Define your purpose:
After reading the introduction information in the previous chapters, it is now time to begin thinking if using an M&E-GIS approach to monitoring and evaluation is appropriate for your situation.
At this point, you should write a four or five sentence description of your project and your goals for monitoring and evaluation. What benefits will your organization receive that will be a good return on your investment of time and effort?
Preliminary evaluation questions to ask
• Does the project to be monitored and evaluated have discrete geographic points or areas where activities and outcomes are measured? In other words, does your project have a spatial orientation?
• Has an M&E system already been developed for this project? If yes, then does the data already collected have spatial parameters (coordinates) attached to each sampled data point? If not, would it be possible to determine the location of each data collection point?
• Is there support within your organization and user community for a map-based monitoring and evaluation reporting system?
• Is the use of GIS new to your organization?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then continue reading.
4 Chapter 5:
Developing an M&E-GIS System for your Situation
Deciding whether to proceed:
At this point, you should have an elementary understanding of the principles of monitoring and evaluation. As stated earlier, this handbook is not designed to be a tutorial on M&E – excellent tutorials are available on the Internet in a variety of languages. In addition, you should now have some basic familiarity with GIS. Again, this handbook is not designed to be a GIS tutorial – such tutorials are prepared for the different computer-based GIS systems, e.g., ESRI, QGIS, MapInfo, etc.
You will need a method for documenting the decisions you make related to this project and the data you decide to collect and analyze. The following form is useful for remembering all the questions to ask and recording your agreements on the answers before you launch into your project. Each chapter that follows will contribute to your M&E - GIS project design.
Now is a good time to fill in the first two sections of the form -- from the Project Name through Intended Audiences and Language blocks. The remaining blocks will be filled in as your work through the remainder of this handbook - we’ll remind you along the way to preserve your answers, research and decisions at each step of the way.
Form 1: M&E - GIS Project Data
|Project name: |Organization Name: |Your name: |
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|Project due date: |Key contacts: |Key stakeholders: |
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|Project description: |
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|Intended audience(s) and languages: |
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|GIS software used: (6) |
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|Map file sources: (7) |
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|Key indicators: (9) |
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|Data sources, responsible persons and frequency of collection: (9,10) |
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|Describe the outcome maps expected including size of area |What question does this map answer? |
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Developing an M&E system must involve cooperation between stakeholders in the project. Keep in mind the M&E-GIS methodology and advocate for features that will be needed to create a successful M&E-GIS system. Advocate for collecting spatial data such as location coordinates as an important attribute of the data collection task.
Have some examples of what M&E-GIS outputs that might be appropriate for your situation. Do some work ahead so you’ll have some examples.
One model to use in developing your own M&E-GIS system follows a “past, present, future” format.
The M&E-GIS system package is a series of three maps:
• A “current” map showing the current status of each reporting entity. e.g., school, health clinic, well, food distribution center, etc.
• A “past” map, that illustrates the work completed since the last report
• A “future” map showing the work to be done before the next report is due, e.g., repairs, new installations, training, etc.
This 3-stage model has many similarities to an accounting model:
• The current map is a balance sheet showing the current level of accounts at a specific moment in time
• The past map is similar to a financial statement of revenues and expenses for activities during the prior reporting period
• The future map is similar to a budget which is the plan for activity in the upcoming accounting period
Persons who are familiar with standard accounting reports should find this model of an M&E-GIS map-based reporting system easy to understand.
Other conceptual models may be a better fit for your project. The most important principle to remember is that you are using key indicators to map outcomes that tell a story -- the map model is only the method of displaying the outcomes. You are free to create your own model mapping outcomes.
The next step is to create your own conceptual model and make a rough sketch of outcome maps on paper.
Summary
By now you should be having some ideas of what your project’s outcome maps will look like. You should have some key information on the Project Form that will start the M&E - GIS design process that will work for your project.
Part 2:
Creating Reference Maps
Chapter 6: Selecting GIS Software
If you have reached this point in the handbook, we’ll assume you have decided to explore the details of how to create maps to support your M&E system. Or maybe you want to focus only on creating maps – the following will help you work toward either goal.
Geographic Information Systems
When evaluating which GIS software will work for your organization, some important factors to consider include cost, ease of learning, as well as the capabilities of the GIS software application to meet your needs.
Developing a useful M&E-GIS system will require the services of a knowledgeable GIS technician. Although is it possible for many people with some information technology experience to learn to use GIS, your time and availability requirements may require finding a person who already has well-developed GIS skills.
Commercially available GIS software
Powerful commercially available GIS systems are available after paying a licensing fee, which can be quite expensive. The most popular GIS software in the US is ArcGIS from Esri. A downloadable trial version is available for evaluation.
In other regions of the world, different GIS software applications are “local favorites”. Check with the geography department of a local college or university to see what commercial GIS software is most commonly used in your area.
Open-source GIS software
If high licensing costs are a barrier to an organization's use of GIS software, a variety of open-source (free) GIS software is available for download from the Internet. One of the most popular, powerful and easy-to-learn open-source GIS applications is QGIS, which provides data viewing, editing, and analysis capabilities. QGIS can be downloaded from the website
On-line GIS software
The field of on-line GIS software is presently undergoing significant development and advancement. At this time, the two most prominent sources of free versions of online GIS (open systems) are both provided by commercial GIS software suppliers - probably introducing their product with a free version with limited capabilities in hopes that users will eventually upgrade to their fee-based versions with full capabilities. The two companies that offer free on-line GIS capabilities are:
• ESRI at
• GeoCommons at
Expect more vendors to provide free, limited capability versions of their on-line GIS software. The expectation of open-source versions of on-line GIS software is limited because of the cost and support requirements of maintaining a cloud-computing environment without an income revenue stream.
Exercise 1: QGIS Software Installation for Windows PC
Time to Complete: 10-20 minutes (Depending on your download speed)
The following instructions will help you download the software, set the program to read Vietnamese accent marks, and create a province-level reference map.
Step 1: Download the GIS software QGIS 2.0 from website:
Note – Special instructions for Mac users can be found in Appendix A
Choose Stand Alone Installer
Install the QGIS program by following the instructions on the website
Step 2: Testing the installation and changing the language (optional)
Start QGIS
If your installation was successful, the QGIS program should open.
Select Project > Exit QGIS
Step 3: Changing the language of QGIS (optional)
Only complete this step if you wish the change the language from English.
Start QGIS
Choose menu option Settings > Options
Select the Locale tab
Check Override System Locale box
Select an alternate language to use
OK
Select Project > Exit QGIS
Start QGIS again
You should now see QGIS is the new language you selected.
Learning how to use GIS software
Most GIS software applications have a tutorial available online that will help the GIS technician learn to use the features of the application. Look for a tutorial online.
Summary
Choosing the right GIS software, commercial or open-source, to meet your needs is an important first step toward developing an M&E-GIS system.
At this point, fill in your software choice on the Project Form in the box titled “GIS software used.”
A second important step is finding a person with appropriate GIS technical skills, and hopefully some GIS experience. And it you can’t find that person, maybe you must become that person – read on.
References:
ESRI –
QGIS –
Wikipedia --
2 Chapter 7: GIS Terminology
When operating GIS software, it is important to understand the vocabulary used to describe the different files, layers, datasets, and resources that are involved in making a map.
Attribute: A characteristic of a geographic feature, typically stored in tabular format and linked to the feature in a relational database. The attributes of a well-represented point might include an identification number, address, and type.
Vector: A representation of the world using points, lines, and polygons. Vector models are useful for storing data that has discrete boundaries, such as district, province, and commune borders, land parcels, and streets.
Raster: A representation of the world as a surface divided into a regular grid of cells. Raster models are useful for storing data that varies continuously, as in aerial photos, a satellite image, land cover, or an elevation surface. Raster file formats include JPEG, TIF, GEOTIF, and BMP.
[pic]
Figure 7.1: Comparison of Vector and Raster representations. P = pine forest trees, S = spruce forest trees, R = river, and H = house.
Layer: A layer is a slice or portion of the geographic reality in a particular area, and is more or less equivalent to a legend item on a paper map. On a road map, for example, roads, national parks, political boundaries, and rivers might be considered different layers. [pic]
Figure 7.2: This image shows the different layers as slices of a geographic feature that can be laid atop one another for viewing or spatial analysis.
Coordinate System: A reference framework consisting of a set of points, lines, and/or surfaces, and a set of rules, used to define the positions of points in space in either two or three dimensions. The Cartesian coordinate system and the geographic coordinate system used on the earth's surface are common examples of coordinate systems. In the exercises found in this handbook, we use the WGS84 coordinate system.
Feature Class: Geographic data that deals with one particular layer or theme.
Map Scale: The ratio or relationship between a distance or area on a map and the corresponding distance or area on the ground, commonly expressed as a fraction or ratio. A map scale of 1/100,000 or 1:100,000 means that one unit of measure on the map equals 100,000 of the same unit on the earth.
Resolution: The detail with which a map depicts the location and shape of geographic features. The larger the map scale, the higher the possible resolution. As scale decreases, resolution diminishes and feature boundaries must be smoothed, simplified, or not shown at all; for example, small areas may have to be represented as points.
Shapefile: A vector data storage format for storing the location, shape, and attributes of geographic features. A shapefile is stored in a set of related files and contains one feature class.
Clip: A command that extracts features from one feature class that reside entirely within a boundary defined by features in another feature class.
Reference Map: A map designed to show where geographic features are in relation to each other.
Thematic Map: A map designed to convey information about a single topic or theme, such as population density or geology.
Choropleth Map: A thematic map in which areas are distinctly colored or shaded to represent classed values of a particular phenomenon.
Dot Density Map: A quantitative, thematic map on which dots of the same size are randomly placed in proportion to a numeric attribute associated with an area. Dot density maps convey the intensity of an attribute.
Inset Map: A small map set within a larger map. An inset map might show a detailed part of the map at a larger scale, or be the extent of the existing map drawn at smaller scale within the context of a larger area.
3 Chapter 8: Locating GIS Maps
After you select an appropriate GIS software application and a person to be the GIS technician, the next step is to locate digital maps for the project area of interest to you and your organization.
One useful source of digital maps for M&E-GIS systems is the website for GADM Database of Global Administrative Areas which can be accessed at Another useful site containing data for roads, rivers, population data, etc. is
GADM is a spatial database of the location of the world's administrative areas (or administrative boundaries) for use in GIS software. Digital maps can be downloaded from the GADM website by country. The coordinate reference system is latitude/longitude and the WGS84 datum. These maps contain up to 5 levels of administrative subdivisions.
A general understanding of the concept of “administrative areas” is presented in Wikipedia at
As an example, the administrative levels of the country of Vietnam are:
1: Country
2: Country is divided into provinces (tỉnh) or centrally controlled municipalities (thành phố trực thuộc trung ương), which are administratively on the same level as provinces
3: Provinces (tỉnh) are divided into districts or counties (huyện), provincial cities (thành phố trực thuộc tỉnh), and county-level towns (thị xã). The centrally controlled municipalities are subdivided into districts (quận) and counties, which are further subdivided into wards (phường).
4: Counties (huyện) are in turn subdivided into towns (thị trấn) or communes (xã). The centrally controlled municipalities are subdivided into rural counties (huyện), county-level towns or townlets (thị xã), and urban districts (quận).
5: Urban districts (quận) are subdivided into wards (phường).
Exercise 2: GIS Map File Download
Step 1: Download administrative maps
Create a new folder on your computer for this project
name the new folder TT-Hue-Province
Create a sub-folder in this new project folder named VN-Maps
Download the administrative maps from the GADM website at
Select download country level files
Country = Vietnam
File format = Shapefile
OK
Choose Download
After the download finishes, copy and paste the ZIP file into the folder named VN-Maps that you created earlier
Extract the compressed ZIP files into the folder named VN-Maps
(Note: If you need help with this step, a reliable open-source program for uncompressing files is 7-Zip -- you can download at
)
At this point, fill in your map source choices on the Project Form in the box titled “Map file sources” on page 10.
4 Chapter 9: Creating a Reference Map
Purpose
The purpose of creating a reference map is to provide a starting point for displaying data related to the main topic of your project.
A reference map orients readers to the broad-scale geography of the area of interest. The reference map usually displays regional boundaries such as borders of countries, states, etc. In addition, the reference map may contain roads, rivers and lakes, and cities and towns.
Coverage
The size of the area covered by a reference map is defined by the area covered by the project being monitored. Include enough area so the reader can orient to the area, but not so much area that data points will become “lost” on a map that covers too large a region.
Tips
Exercise care in selecting how many detailed features to include on the reference map. Features should be included that will assist the user in interpreting the main topic of the map – the theme of the map. Features that do not add to the user’s understanding should be omitted. The simpler the map, the better; maps cluttered with too much detail can detract from the message you want to communicate.
More details will be added to the map in Chapter 16 when we create the Thematic Map layer; at that time we will add the unique data related to the specific project you are monitoring.
References:
The GADM website is an excellent source of digital reference maps of regional boundaries (also called administrative areas) and was described in Chapter 8.
Example: A base reference map for one province might look like this:
[pic]
Figure 9.1: Reference Map of Thua-Thien Hue province.
Exercise 3: Creating a Province-Level Reference Map
Time to Complete: 20-30 minutes
Two different types of map layers are needed for this project:
1. REFERENCE map layers that show the boundaries for the country, province, district and commune levels, and
2. THEMATIC map layer that contains the data to be analyzed and displayed on the REFERENCE map.
In this exercise you will create the REFERENCE map layers. In a later chapter, you will create the THEMATIC map layer.
Step 1: Run QGIS program
Start QGIS
Choose menu option Project > New
Step 2: Add a layer for the country
On the menu bar select Add Vector Layer icon [pic]
For Dataset, browse to folder VN-Maps
Select file VNM_adm1.shp
Open > Open
Right click on the layer named VNM_adm1 > Rename > “Country”
Step 3: Add a layer for provinces
On the menu bar select Add Vector Layer icon [pic]
For Dataset, browse to folder VN-Maps
Select file VNM_adm2.shp
Open > Open
Step 4: Add a layer for districts
On the menu bar select Add Vector Layer icon [pic]
For Dataset, browse to folder VN-Maps
Select file VNM_adm3.shp
Open > Open
Step 5: Add layer for communes
On the menu bar select Add Vector Layer icon [pic]
For Dataset, browse to folder VN-Maps
Select file VNM_adm4.shp
Open > Open
Step 6: Save Project
Choose menu option Project
Select Save As
Browse to folder TT-Hue-Province (created in Exercise 2)
Type file name = TT-Hue-Map
Save
Step 7: Clip layers to remove all data except data for the province of TT-Hue. This will make the project file load and redraw much, much faster.
[pic]
Figure 9.2: The process of clipping a smaller area from a larger area is shown. If you only need to focus on a certain area, you can discard the unnecessary spatial information with no loss to the core data. The first frame shows the original image, followed by the same image with the area to be clipped selected by the circle. Finally, the last image shows the new layer, clipped from the original.
First, you will select the smaller area that you will use to perform the “clip” function
Right click VNM_adm2 layer > Properties
. Select General tab
. Select Query Builder button in the Feature subset box
. Double click VARNAME_2 in Fields box to insert in SQL where clause box
. Single click Operator “=” to insert in SQL where clause box
. Choose “All” in Values box
. Double click Thua Thien-Hue to insert in SQL where clause box
. OK > Apply > OK
You will probably experience a delay waiting for the screen to redraw. This activity is called “rendering”. We will temporarily fix this problem by telling QGIS not to redraw the screen after each activity.
In the lower right corner of your screen
Uncheck the box next to Render
You will now perform the “clip” function
Choose menu option Vector > Geoprocessing Tools > Clip
Choose Input vector layer = VNM_adm2
Choose Clip layer = VNM_adm2
Browse to folder named TT-Hue-Province
Select UTF-8 in Encoding box
In File Name box type Province > Save > OK
Choose Yes for question Would you like to add the new layer to the TOC? (TOC is an abbreviation for Table of Contents)
Close
Right click VNM_adm2 layer > Remove
Choose menu option Vector > Geoprocessing Tools > Clip
Choose Input vector layer = VNM_adm3
Choose Clip layer = Province
Browse to folder named TT-Hue-Province
In File Name box type Districts
Save > OK
Choose Yes for question Would you like to add the new layer to the TOC?
Close
Right click VNM_adm3 layer > Remove
Right click Districts layer > Open Attribute Table
You will see several districts included in the clipped layer that are NOT in TT-Hue province. However, these districts are adjacent to TT-Hue province and that is how the “clip” function works. For now, these additional districts are not causing any problems, so we will leave them in the Attribute Table.
Click “X” in upper right corner of the Attribute Table
Choose menu option Vector > Geoprocessing Tools > Clip
Choose Input vector layer = VNM_adm4
Choose Clip layer = Province
Browse to folder named “TT-Hue-Province”
In File Name box type Communes
> Save > OK
Choose Yes for question Would you like to add the new layer to the TOC?
Close
Right click VNM_adm4 layer > Remove
In the lower right corner of your screen
Check the box next to Render
Choose menu option Project > Save
The project file is now optimized to contain only map data for TT-Hue province.
Step 8: Zoom to province level
Right click Province layer > Zoom to Layer Extent
Step 9: Adjust layer properties
Right click Country layer > Properties
. Select Style tab
. Click on Simple Fill
. For Fill Style select no brush
. For Border Color select black
. For Border Style select solid line
. For Border Width type 0.5
OK
Right click Province layer > Properties
. Select Style tab
. Click on Simple Fill
. For Fill Style select solid
. For Border Color select black
. For Border Style select solid line
. For Border Width type 0.5
OK
Right click Districts layer > Properties
. Select Style tab
. Click on Simple Fill
. For Color Fill select pale yellow > OK
. For Fill Style select solid
. For Border Color select black
. For Border Style select solid line
. For Border Width type 1.0
OK
Right click Communes layer > Properties
. Select Style tab
. Click on Simple Fill
. For Fill Style select No Brush
. For Border Color select black
. For Border Style select solid line
. For Border Width type 0.5
OK
Step 10: Save Project and exit
Choose menu option Project > Save
Choose menu option Project > Exit QGIS
This completes the REFERENCE map for the Province of Thua Thien-Hue.
These instructions should produce a simple reference map of Thua Thien-Hue province that looks similar to the following map:
[pic]
Figure 9.3: A screen shot of a completed reference map for the Thua Thien Hue province in Vietnam.
Questions to ask after creating the reference map
• Does this GIS application fit within the existing capabilities of your organization? Too complex? Too time-consuming?
• Does this look like something your organization is already doing?
• Will presenting information using map-based outputs add value to your project?
Summary
You may feel a need to learn more about GIS before going further. If this is the case, you can download a GIS tutorial from the Internet or read an introduction to GIS book. A good place to begin in order to locate available resources is to use an on-line search.
Part 3:
Working
with
Data
1 Chapter 10:
Defining Data Requirements and Key Indicators
Purpose of collecting data
Our purpose is to define and collect individual items of data that can be displayed in map format to create a useful information tool for project stakeholders.
These individual data items are often described as “key indicators”. One definition of a key indicator is: “a quantitative or qualitative factor or variable that provides a simple and reliable means to measure achievement, to reflect changes connected to an intervention, or to help assess the performance of a development actor.” (Kusek and Rist, 2004)
Good M&E questions to ask when defining key indicators are
• How will we know success when we see it?
• Are we making progress toward the desired outcomes of our project?
Deciding where to collect data
Where you collect data depends on the scope and scale of the area covered by your project. You may decide to sample data at every location in your project. Or, because collecting data can be both time and cost intensive, you may decide to only sample some locations as representative of all other locations. The decision where to collect data is highly dependent on the parameters of your project. Deciding where to collect data may influence your next decision, which is deciding what data to collect.
Deciding what data to collect
Data is the fuel that drives this M&E-GIS project. The decision about what data to collect may be one of the most important decisions you will make.
Two basic types of data can be used to accomplish your M&E purposes. Primary data are collected firsthand by you for your specific project and are usually the most useful data because you collect this data with your project goals in mind. Another type of data is secondary data which originates from others who collect data for a task unrelated to your project. Nevertheless, secondary data can still be of value to you.
The cardinal rule of data collection is “Only collect the amount of data you need – no more.” Limit the number of data items to be monitored to a manageable number that will provide the most useful information for the project and that will not require the use of excessive personnel time and project money.
The key indicators you define for data collection are highly dependent on the nature of your project. At this point it would be a good idea to read Chapter 3, Selecting Key Performance Indicators to Monitor Outcomes in the book “Ten Steps to a Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation System”.
The goal is to identify the key indicators needed to create a thematic map that will be a graphic portrayal of the answer to a question.
Some examples of key indicators for data collection used in the exercises in this handbook are:
• What district does the medical staff person work in?
• What is the population of the districts in the province?
• What job title does the medical staff person hold?
In addition to key indicators, we must have some spatial data for the purpose of accurately positioning the data on a map. Each set of key indicators for one specific location must have coordinates specifying the latitude and longitude of the location. This location data can be obtained using a GPS, derived from a reference map or from an online resource such as Google Earth.
At this point, fill in your data source choices and your key indicators on the Project Form in the boxes titled “Data sources” and “Key indicators”.
Tips on using a GPS for GIS data collection
When using a GPS to determine the coordinates of a location, set the GPS datum to the same datum used by the digital maps in your GIS. One of the most commonly used datums is WGS 84. You can determine the datum used in your digital map by using your GIS software to look in the map’s metadata.
Set the GPS’s coordinate unit format to meet the input requirements of your GIS, e.g., QGIS input requires that latitude and longitude be formatted as a decimal number so you must set the GPS coordinate unit’s format to degrees and decimals of degrees.
Chapter 11: Defining the Data Collection Process
Deciding who will collect the data
This decision depends on your project, its management and its stakeholders. Chapter 4 of the book “Ten Steps to a Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation System” by Kusek and Rist offers some guidance, suggestions, and examples.
Deciding how often to collect the data
Again, this decision depends on your project, its management and its stakeholders. Kusek and Rist also have some useful ideas on this topic in Chapter 4.
A common problem encountered in many M&E systems is how to keep the data current. A “one-time” effort to collect data may soon be out-of-date if the data is constantly changing. One example of data that might not change rapidly with time is the location of schools in a region. An example of data that would change rapidly with time is the results of water quality testing at those same schools.
Is rapidly changing data a concern for your situation? If your answer is “yes”, then you must devise a strategy for data collection that overcomes this problem. Otherwise, your data analysis and presentation will have a very short useful life.
At this point, fill in the persons responsible for data collection and the frequency of data collection, on the Project Form in the box titled “Data sources”.
Designing the data collection forms
This is one of the most important steps for developing a workable M&E-GIS system. Our goals are to insure that the data collected is reliable, accurate, valid, timely and consistent.
One method that maximizes the potential of achieving these goals is to design forms that use checkboxes for recording the valid categories of the Key Indicators.
Design your own data collection forms to gather data for each of the key indicators you defined in the previous chapter.
Collecting the data
Once the forms have been designed, ask two or three persons who will eventually be collecting the data to test the form. Listen to their feedback and make useful changes.
4 Chapter 12:
Designing and Creating a Data Input Table
Purpose
This is perhaps one of the most important chapters in this entire document. Consequently, it will also be longer than most chapters in order to explain the steps in creating the data input table.
In this chapter we will use the data items that you defined as key indicators in Chapter 10, and logically format those items in a spreadsheet. This will result in a spreadsheet table that will be the input to your GIS program and will reside in an attribute table inside your GIS application.
Assumption -- you are now somewhat skilled in using the GIS software package you have chosen for this project.
Getting Started
This process is best accomplished iteratively. First, sketch your ideas out on paper. Then create a simple table in a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or the free, open-source software OpenOffice and import the data into your GIS to create an attribute table. Once this process is well understood and working correctly, then complete your spreadsheet table with all the data items (key indicators) you plan to monitor and repeat the importing step.
Defining data items as GIS attributes
Required data items
Unique record ID
Each row of data in the spreadsheet should have a unique identifier. You can assign these unique identifiers yourself or use some system that already exists to number the locations..
Spatial Coordinates:
Create a simple spreadsheet like the following example, then save the spreadsheet in Unicode Text file format.
The first row must be a header row with field names (no commas allowed). The header row must have column labels for the X and Y coordinate fields; these fields can have any name.
[pic]
Note: Values for latitude are entered with either no sign or a plus sign in the northern hemisphere and are entered with a minus sign in the southern hemisphere
By definition, the Prime Meridian, which passes through the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, England, establishes the position of zero degrees longitude. If the direction of longitude is designated as east (or E) then the longitude value is positive. If the direction of longitude is designated as west (or W) then the longitude value is negative. If no E or W is specified, then positive longitude values are east of the Prime Meridian, and negative values are west of the Prime Meridian.
If you are using QGIS software, add two more columns Label-X and Label-Y to your spreadsheet. Format these two columns as numeric with 3 decimal places. Enter the text word “NULL” in every cell in these columns. Later, this feature will allow you to move text labels around on your map to improve legibility. If you are not using QGIS software, you can skip this step.
Your spreadsheet should now look like the one below. Save this file in Unicode Text format.
[pic]
Optional one-time data items
Some data will be entered only once in the spreadsheet table. Examples of one-time entries include: location name, type of location (school, clinic, etc), and other data items that do not change with time. Add a column for each data item you need to track.
Location Name: One idea is to add several columns for the Location Name - a long name that may be the technical name of the location but that will be too long to display on a map, a short name that will display nicely on a map, and a name in a 2nd language if two languages are commonly used in the project area.
[pic]
Optional recurring data items
Most likely the recurring data items will come from your monitoring data collection form.
Create a column for each reporting event of a key indicator. The frequency of data sampling will dictate how many columns to create. For example, if one key indicator is “Test water samples for presence of e coli” and your testing frequency is monthly, you should add 12 columns to monitor one year’s worth of data. An example is:
[pic]
If you want to store more than one-year’s data in the spreadsheet, then include the year in the name of the data item, e.g., EC-May-12.
Next, consider the codes that you will enter for each key indicator to designate the outcome.
Add a column for the valid values of this key indicator. This column will be used later to construct Style Templates in QGIS.
[pic]
Filling in the rows
Add data in rows in the spreadsheet in the same order as on the Monitoring Data Collection Form.
This concludes the discussion on creating the data input table for GIS mapping.
Saving data for importing into GIS
Some GIS software requires that files used for importing data be in the format CSV (comma separated variables). If you are using non-English language text in your spreadsheet, you should save your spreadsheet file in Unicode Text format to preserve characters with accent marks or non-English characters. Most spreadsheet programs have this option for saving files. Test your GIS software to see if this is a requirement for importing your data files.
Exercise 4: Create a data file for input to QGIS
Time to complete: 15 minutes
Step 1: Create a data file of the staff training statistics of each district.
In Excel create a data file of the following staff training statistics by district in TT-Hue province and save the file in Unicode Text format. The Unicode Text option will permit you to store Vietnamese characters with proper language markings
[pic]
Start Excel spreadsheet program
In Excel, enter the staff training data shown. In column F, use the SUM function to add columns C, D and E. When you have finished entering data
Select File > Save As > Staff in folder TT-Hue-Province
In the Save as type box, choose Unicode Text
Save > OK > yes
File > Exit > Don’t Save
The ID_3 field will be used later to merge this data with the district map layer. The lat and lon fields are used to locate where on the map to display this data. These latitude and longitude values were found using the methods described in Chapter 15.
Exercise 5: Create another data file for input to QGIS
Time to complete: 10 minutes
Step 1: Create a data file of the population of each district.
In Excel create a data file of the following populations by district in TT-Hue province and save the file in Unicode Text format. The Unicode Text option will permit you to store Vietnamese characters with proper language markings.
[pic]
Start Excel spreadsheet program
In Excel, enter the population data shown above. When you have finished entering data
Select File > Save As > Pop in folder TT-Hue-Province
In the Save as type box, choose Unicode Text
Save > OK > yes
File > Exit > Don’t Save
Chapter 13:
Training the Data Input Staff and Updating Field Reports
Purpose
Training is an important key to successful operation of the system. If data input requires a significant amount of time, perhaps someone other than the GIS technician should be trained to do the data entry. Collecting key indicator data in the field by the data collector and sending that data to the GIS technician starts the process of preparing the GIS maps that display the M&E results.
Identifying who is responsible for data collection
A GIS technician may collect the data if the collection process is non-resources intensive (easy). If the scale of data collection exceeds the job resources available to the GIS technician, it may cost effective for the technician to train specific persons to collect the raw data in the field and transmit the results to the GIS technician for analysis.
Topics for training on data entry
• Overview of the M&E-GIS reporting system and its purpose
• Importance of accuracy in data entry
• How to handle missing or invalid data
• Written instructions of step-by-step actions to enter data using the GIS software.
Methods of data collection
One method of starting this process is for the GIS technician to electronically send a blank report form to the field person responsible for collecting the data. Allow adequate time for the field worker to collect the data and return the completed form to the GIS technician.
If it is not possible to communicate electronically with the field worker, then another method should be worked out to gather the data. Sometimes a mobile phone call will be the most efficient and effective method.
Chapter 14:
Knowing Where You Are - Geographic Coordinates
Where am I? To know exactly where you are on the face of the Earth requires a system that gives every point a unique “address”. To solve this problem, people have agreed to use various systems of geographic coordinates.
These geographic coordinate systems enable any location on the Earth to be specified by a set of numbers or letters. The most commonly-used coordinate system is latitude and longitude. Latitude and longitude are imaginary lines drawn on maps to easily locate places on the Earth.
Latitude
When looking at a map, latitude lines run horizontally. Latitude lines are also known as parallels since they are parallel and are an equal distance from each other. Latitude is the distance north or south of the Equator (an imaginary circle around the Earth halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole).
The Equator is the line of 0° (zero degree) latitude; the starting point for measuring latitude. The latitude of the North Pole is 90° N; the South Pole is 90° S. The latitude of every point in between must be some degree north or south, from 0° to 90°. One degree of latitude covers about 69 miles (111 kilometers).
To remember latitude, imagine latitudes as the horizontal rungs of a ladder ("ladder-tude").
Longitude
Longitude lines are vertical and are also known as meridians. Unlike latitude lines, longitude lines are not parallel. They converge at the poles and are widest at the equator (about 69 miles or 111 km apart). Zero degrees longitude is located at Greenwich, England which is often called the “prime meridian”. The degrees continue 180° east and 180° west until they meet at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean.
See the diagram that follows to better understand latitudes and longitudes.
[pic]
Figure 15.1: Latitude and longitude visualized Credit for this diagram??
How Latitude and Longitude Work Together
Latitude and longitude lines form an imaginary grid over the Earth's surface. By combining longitude and latitude measurements, any location on earth can be determined. The units of measurement for geographic coordinates are degrees (°), minutes ('), and seconds ("). Each parallel of latitude forms a circle and contains 360 degrees. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes, which in turn is divided into 60 seconds. Latitude and longitude coordinates also include cardinal directions: north or south of the equator for latitude, and east or west of the Greenwich meridian for longitude.
For example, the geographic coordinates of the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, are 38° 53' 23" N, 77° 00' 27" W. Latitude is always listed first.
Different Latitude and Longitude Formats
Latitude and longitude can be expressed in several different formats. The following examples are different formats for the same location, the US Capitol building.
|Format |Latitude and longitude |
|Degrees, minutes, seconds |38° 53' 23" N, 77° 00' 27" W |
|Decimal degrees |38.889722, -77.0075 |
|Degrees and minutes |38°53.38333, -77°0.44999 |
When using decimal degrees for longitude, west longitudes are negative numbers and east longitudes are positive numbers. For latitudes, north is positive and south is negative.
Chapter 15:
Determining Latitude and Longitude Coordinates
Purpose
Because data in a GIS is spatially oriented, a method is needed to determine the latitude and longitude of locations where data is collected.
Today the easiest and most commonly used methods depend on satellites that make up the Global Positioning System (GPS).
• A total of 27 satellites cover the entire globe and provide signals that allow a GPS receiver to determine its location accurate to within 10 to 20 meters
• Of the 27 satellites, any 4 of the satellites must be within line-of-sight of the GPS receiver in order to establish an accurate position
• Because the GPS receiver must obtain data from several satellites, you must have a clear view of the sky above. An accurate position fix can not be determined from inside a building, in a street with tall buildings on both sides, in deep canyons or when under thick trees.
When you are actually at the location you wish to locate, three methods can be used to precisely measure the location. All three methods use the Global Positioning System of satellites.
GPS Receiver
A hand-held GPS receiver can determine an accurate location. However, GPS units are expensive.
Smart Phone with GPS capabilities
Most modern smart phones (iPhone, etc.) have GPS capabilities although the user may not be aware of how to access the GPS data. The three most common methods of using the smart phone GPS capabilities are examined below.
Using a GPS App
There are several free applications for the iPhone, Android, and Windows OS that provide GPS information right in your phone.
The image below is from the iPhone app named Free GPS, which as its name implies, is free to download from the app store.
Note that the coordinates are in degrees and minutes – you must convert these values to degrees and decimal degrees to be in the proper format for importing into QGIS. Many conversion programs can be found on the Internet to perform this function.
Using the iPhone Compass app to determine latitude and longitude coordinates
Make sure that Location Services are ON in the iPhone.
In OIS 6 navigate to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > ON
In the list of apps under Location Services, make sure Compass is ON
Press the Home button to exit Settings
Open the Compass app
Your current GPS coordinates are displayed at the bottom of the screen. If you do not see the coordinates, touch the bar at the bottom of the screen.
[pic]
Note that the coordinates are in degrees and minutes and seconds – you must convert these values to degrees and decimal degrees to be in the proper format for importing into QGIS. Many conversion programs can be found on the internet to perform this function.
Using the smart phone's camera function
When the smart phone takes a photo, it automatically stores the latitude and longitude of the location in the photo file. To see the latitude and longitude data, you need a free application to open the EXtended Information Format (EXIF) data of the photo. This image is from exifViewer, a free app for the iPhone.
A useful method of data collection is to take a photo of a sign showing the name of the place, or something else that will remind you of where you are. Then, use an EXIF viewer to see the GPS coordinates the smart phone recorded when it took the photo.
What to do when it is not possible to go to the location
If you cannot go to the place where your data was collected and use a GPS reading to determine the location, there are some other methods that can be used to find the latitude and longitude.
If you can locate the data collection site on a map, you can determine the latitude and longitude without visiting the location.
Getting Coordinates from Google Map Data
Open Google Maps ()
Center the map on the area where your data collection site is located.
Move the cursor to the location of the site as accurately as possible
Right click on the map and select What’s here? from the menu
The coordinates for the location are now in the search box at the top of the screen
[pic]
Getting Coordinates from Google Earth
Using Google Earth requires downloading the free program from earth.
To find coordinates of a point, go to the general area near the point, then click on the Add Placemark icon. Drag the placemarker over the location you want coordinates for then read the coordinates in the display box.
[pic]
A Method of Finding Approximate Lat/Lon Coordinates
You can use this method to get the approximate latitude and longitude coordinates when no other method is available.
Start QGIS and open your map of the region where your data was collected.
Move the cursor around within the map. You will see that the coordinates for where your cursor is hovering are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Move the cursor over the approximate location of your data collection site and read the coordinates.
This method is useful if you want to position data to be displayed in a general location on the map. For example, if you have data that applies to a region, then you can use this method to find a location where that data will be displayed on the map. An example of this type of data display is shown in Exercise 9 of Chapter 17.
Part 4:
Creating Thematic Maps
Chapter 16: Creating the Thematic Map
Maps are a compact and elegant method of communicating information. Thematic map layers are content-specific displaying data related to the topic or theme of the map.
Purpose
The purpose of creating a thematic map is to display the data that has been defined and collected in Chapters 10 and 11 using the reference map created in Exercise 3 of Chapter 9 as a base or platform. The data is the “theme” that will be displayed on your completed maps.
At this point, fill in your outcome map descriptions on Form 1, Project Form (Chapter 5) in the box titled “Outcome maps expected”. Before you spend any time creating thematic maps, fill in the box of the Project Form titled “What question does this map answer”.
Symbols
Once you have imported your data into GIS and displayed the data as a map layer, you must give the person viewing your map some clues to correctly interpret the meaning of your data. Data is displayed as symbols such as points, lines, objects or pictures on the map that represent real objects on the ground.
Some tips on choosing appropriate symbols are:
• Using different shapes for symbols is preferred to using different colors. The reason is that if your maps are copied on a black and white copy machine, shapes will be unchanged but colors may become indistinguishable.
• Colors may have “hidden” meanings that may vary from culture to culture - the classic example is “red means danger, yellow means caution and green means good” which corresponds to the colors in a traffic light. In some cultures, those colors may have other meanings. Understand the meanings in the culture you are working in.
• Choose shapes and colors for point symbols that are culturally appropriate -- review your choices with key stakeholder.
Exercise 6: Create a category thematic map
Time to complete: 30 minutes
A category map is a thematic map in which areas are shaded or patterned in proportion to the measurement of the statistical variable being displayed on the map, such as population density or per-capita income. The category map is most useful in displaying two sets of data on the same map and provides a useful method of comparison of those two sets of data values. In the following example we will compare the number of health workers receiving training with the general population densities of areas where the workers serve. A category map is sometimes called by its more technical name - a “choropleth” map.
[pic]
Figure 17.1: An example of a Choropleth map that provides an easy way to visualize how a measurement varies across a geographic area or shows the level of variability within a region.
The next step is to import data from your research into the GIS software and display this data on your thematic map.
Step 1: Add the district population data as a text layer to your QGIS reference map
Start QGIS
Select menu option Project > Open Recent
Select File Name = TT-Hue-Map > Open
Uncheck the “X” for the Communes layer (we will not be displaying communes in this exercise).
It is a good idea to save this project now with a new name so you do not accidentally overwrite your “master” copy of your reference map. You will use the master copy of the reference map again and again to save time.
Select menu option Project > Save As
Browse to folder TT-Hue-Province
Type File name = CategoryMap > Save
Select the menu option Layer
On the drop down sub-menu select Add Delimited Text Layer
Browse for the file Pop > Open (created in Exercise 5)
On the File Format line, select Custom delimiters
Check the Tab box
On the Geometry Definition line, select No Geometry
OK
Step 2: Save your project file
Select menu option Project > Save
Exercise 7: Performing calculations in the attribute table
We now have the boundaries of the districts in the District layer and populations of the districts in the Pop layer. We want to add the population data to the district layer. We can do this using the Join function. Each layer must have a common field for the Join function to use; in our case the common field is ID_3.
Step 1: Join the Population layer with the District map layer
Right click Districts layer > Properties
. Select Joins tab
. Select plus sign
. Choose Join Layer Pop
. Choose Join Field = ID_3
. Choose Target Field = ID_3
. OK > OK
The population data for each district has now been added to the data in the District layer. You will see the added population data in the next step.
To permanently save the population data joined to the Districts layer, the layer must be saved to a new shapefile.
Right click Districts layer > Save As
Select Format = ESRI Shapefile
Browse to folder TT-Hue-Province
Type File name = Districts_with_Pop > Save
Check the box Add saved file to map
OK
The Population layer can be removed since that data now resides in the Attribute Table of the Districts_with_Pop layer.
Right click the Population layer > Remove
Right click the Districts layer > Remove
Step 2: Performing calculations on data in the attribute table
Calculate the percentage of each district’s population as a part of the total population of the province.
Right click Districts_with_Pop layer > Open attribute table
Select Toggle Editing [pic] at the top of the screen to turn editing “on”
Select the Open Field Calculator [pic] icon
Check the Create a New Field box
Type Pop% in the Output Field Name
Choose Output Field Type = decimal number (real)
Click on + sign next to Fields and Values
Double click on Pop_Pop09
Click once on “*” operator to multiply
Type 100
Click once on “/” operator to divide
Double click on Pop_Total
OK
Select Toggle Editing [pic]on the toolbar to turn editing “off”
Choose Save
Check your work
Scroll to the far right edge of the table
You should see the column you added named “Pop%” filled with the calculated percentages.
Close the attribute table by clicking on the X in the upper right corner
Step 3: Save your project file
Select menu option Project > Save
Exercise 8: Displaying categories with colors
Step 1: Display population distribution on a category map using district population data.
Right click Districts_with_pops layer > Properties
. Select Style tab
. Choose Graduated in drop-down box at upper left
Choose Column box = Pop%
Choose Classes = 4
Choose Mode = Natural Breaks (Jenks)
Within the Color ramp, choose Greens
Double click on each entry in the Range and Label columns and change to the numbers in the following figure. This text will appear later when legends are added to the map.
[pic]
Apply > OK
Your map should now look similar to this map
[pic]
Figure 17.2: Categories distinguished by color
Step 2: Save your project file
Select menu option Project > Save
Chapter 17: Adding Data to the Map
Importing the key indicator data you have collected into your QGIS software is the next step to display data on your thematic map.
Exercise 9: Adding staff training data to the map
Step 1: Add staff training statistics as a text layer
Select the menu option Layer
On the drop down sub-menu select Add Delimited Text Layer
Browse for the file Staff > Open
On the File Format line, select Custom delimiters
Check the Tab box
On the Geometry Definition line, select Point Coordinates
OK
Select WGS 84
OK
Step 2: Convert the text layer to shapefile format and then remove the delimited text layer
Create a shapefile from the delimited text file
Right click the Staff layer
Select Save As option
Choose Format = ESRI shapefile
Browse to folder TT-Hue-Province
Type File name = Staff_Counts > Save
Check the box Add saved file to map
OK
Remove the text layer but keep the shapefile layer
Right click the Staff layer > Remove
Step 3: Display staff training statistics on the map
Right click Staff_Counts layer > Properties
. Select Style tab
. Choose Graduated in drop-down box at upper left
Choose Column box = Doctor
Choose Classes = 5
Choose Mode = Natural Breaks (Jenks)
Select Classify button
Choose Color Ramp = Blues
Double click on first entry in Label column and change to 0
Double click on second entry in Value column, and change to 1.0000 to 6.0000
Change the second Label to 1 - 6; change the rest of the values and labels in similar fashion, being careful that none of the values for a class overlap the values of an adjacent class. For the highest value range, set the high value about 20% higher than the current highest value to allow for future updates of your data. For the highest range label, type “> xx” where “xx” is the low value of the highest range. For example, if the highest value range is 41 to 50, set the range as 41 - 60 and the label as “>41”.
Double click on the second Symbol and change Size to 3
Change the color of the symbol to light blue
OK
Double click on each of the remaining symbols and increase the Size by 3 over the previous symbol
Change the color of the symbol to light blue (same color for all circles)
OK
If the range value of zero has special meaning, change the Symbol and its color to attract attention. In our case, we want to draw attention to the fact that no staff has been trained in a district.
Double click on the first Symbol and select the red star for the symbol
Change Size to 8
OK
Display the number of staff trained inside each symbol
Right click Staff_Counts layer > Properties
. Select Labels tab
Check “X” in box to left of Label this layer with
Choose Doctor in Label this layer with box
Select Text option
Select Font = Arial, Style = Normal, Size = 10
Select Color = black
Select Placement option
Choose Placement offset from point
Choose Offset X,Y = 0 mm
When you are finished
Select the Save Style button
Select QGIS Layer StyleFile
Browse to folder = TT-Hue-Province
Type Style Name = DoctorStyle
Save > OK
Create a style for Nurses by returning to Step 3 above, and following the necessary steps
Choose Nurse in Label this layer with box
Repeat the symbol, value and label formatting steps above
(you may need to reduce the number of Classes)
When you are finished
Select the Save Style button
Select QGIS Layer StyleFile
Browse to folder = TT-Hue-Province
Type Style Name = NurseStyle
Save > OK
Repeat style creation for Midwife and Total Staff
Exercise 10: Adding name labels to the map
Step 1: Define, format and position the names of districts on the map
Select the Districts_with_pops layer
Select main menu option Layer > Labeling
Check “X” in box to left of Label this layer with
Choose VARNAME_3 in Label this layer with box
Select Text option
Select Font = Arial, Style = Bold, Size = 12, Select Color = black
Select Placement tab
Choose Placement around centroid
Choose Distance = 3 mm
OK
Step 2: Fine-tuning the placement of the labels for the district names
If all the labels for district names are readable and appropriately located, you may not want to move any labels. If that is the case, you can skip this step. Otherwise, let’s configure the layer to make the labels movable. First we must add two fields, Label-X and Label-Y, to the attribute table so QGIS can remember where it moved the labels.
Right click Districts_with_pops layer > Open attribute table
Select Toggle Editing [pic] at the top of the screen to turn editing “on”
Select the New Column [pic] icon
Type Label-X in the Name box
Choose Type = decimal number
Type 6 in the Width box
Type 3 in the Precision box
OK
Select the New Column icon
Type Label-Y in the Name box
Choose Type = decimal number
Type 6 in the Width box
Type 3 in the Precision box
OK
Select Toggle Editing [pic]on the toolbar to turn editing “off”
Choose Save
Close the attribute table by clicking on the X in the upper right corner
Next we will define the use of fields Label-X and Label-Y in the Districts_with_pops layer so QGIS can remember where it moved the label.
Right click the Districts_with_pops layer
Select main menu option Layer > Labeling
Select the Placement option
In the Data defined box
Click on the down arrow by Coordinate X
Select Field Type = Label-X
Click on the down arrow by Coordinate Y
Select Field Type = Label-Y
OK
Now we are ready to move a label’s position on the map
Right click the Districts_with_pops layer
Select Toggle Editing [pic] to turn editing “on”
Select Move Label [pic] on the toolbar
The cursor will change to a cross
Move the cursor over the label you want to move
Hold down left mouse button to drag the label to a new location
Release the left mouse button
Select Toggle Editing [pic]on the toolbar to turn editing “off”
Choose Save
Step 3: Save your project file and exit QGIS
Select menu option Project > Save
Select menu option Project > Exit QGIS
Part 5: Formatting Maps for Printing
1 Chapter 18: Creating Maps for Printing
Exercise 11: Add legends, titles, and sources of data
Time to Complete: 45 minutes
This exercise will help you create a template that will make it much easier to recreate a map with the same legend and symbology. This will save you a lot of time; you will not have to recreate the legend and symbology over and over for each map.
Step 1: Start QGIS
Start QGIS
Select menu option Project > Open Recent
Browse to folder TT-Hue-Province
Select File Name = CategoryMap > Open
Step 2: Load the status style
Right click Staff_counts layer > Properties
. Select Style option
Select Load Style button
Choose DoctorStyle > Open > OK
Step 3: Create a new template for printing the map
Select the map layers you want to appear on the printed map. In the table of contents on the left of the screen, uncheck layers you don’t want to print. Normally, you will have checked the layers of Staff_counts and Districts_with_Pop
Position the map in the screen as you want it to appear when printed.
(optional) Select the Zoom In icon [pic] and, while holding down the left click button, draw a rectangle around the area that you want to appear when the map is printed.
Composer Format:
Select menu option Project > New Print Composer
Type Doctor in the Composer Title box > OK
Once again, select menu option Project.
Select Print Composers > Doctor
On the menu bar of the window that opens, select the Add New Map icon [pic]
Hold down the left click button, draw a rectangle around the area where you want to the map to appear
If the map does not appear the way you want,
Go back to the main map to adjust the view
Return to Print Composers
If the map does not render clearly or sharply
Click on the Refresh icon [pic]
To keep the map from being accidentally moved, lock its position
Click anywhere inside the map
Right click to lock the map in this position
Select menu option Composer
Select Save as template
Browse to folder = TT-Hue-Province
File Name = DoctorMap
Save > Close
Step 4: Adding Title, Legend and other map text
To make changes to this print layout once it has been created,
Select menu option Project
Select Print Composers = Doctor
For the correct positioning of the following labels, refer to the sample map that follows Step 6 of this exercise.
Step 4.1: Add Map Title (bi-lingual - Vietnamese and English):
Map titles can be in a single language or bi-lingual. We will create one bi-lingual title to demonstrate the method and will then let you create other bi-lingual text on your own.
For category map titles, a common terminology to use begins with “Distribution of ….”
On the menu bar, select Layout > Add Label
Click in the map at the position where you want the title to appear
In the right panel
Select Item Properties tab
In the Main Properties box type an appropriate Vietnamese title for the map
Phân bố của dân số theo huyện
Số bác sĩ được đào tạo IMCI tai
tỉnh Thừa Thiên Huế giai đoạn 2006-2013
Select Font > Arial > Font Style > Bold > Size 16 > OK
Select Alignment Horizontal = Left
Uncheck X in Frame box
Uncheck X in Background box
Drag the edges of the Title frame until all text is visible and there a blank space for the English title at the bottom of the frame.
[pic]
On the menu bar, select Layout > Add Label
Click in the map at the position where you want the title to appear
In the right panel
Select Item Properties tab
In the Main Properties box type an appropriate English title for the map
Distribution of Population by District
Number of Doctors Trained in IMCI
in Thua Thien Hue Province - 2006-2013
Select Font > Arial > Font Style > Normal > Size 12 >OK
Select Alignment Horizontal = Left
Uncheck the “X” from Frame box
Uncheck X in Background box
Drag the English map title box inside the Vietnamese language map title box
If the English title box disappears,
On the menu bar, select Layout > Bring to the Front
[pic]
Connect the two title boxes to form a “group” so they can be moved together as one.
Left click on the Vietnamese title frame
Hold down shift key and left click on English title frame
Select from menu Layout > Group
Position the map title box in the upper left corner of the map.
Step 4.2: Add a “banner” title as an eye-catcher:
On the menu bar, select Layout > Add Label
click in the map at the position where you want the “banner” to appear
In the right panel
Select Item Properties tab
In the Main Properties box type Doctor = 157
Select Font > Arial > Font Style > Bold > Size 24 > OK
Select Alignment Horizontal = Left
Uncheck X in Frame box
Step 4.3: Add Data Source Labels:
On the menu bar, select Layout > Add Label
Click in the map at the position where you want the title to appear
Type
MEDRIX IMCI Project
Data Sources:
- MEDRIX
- .vn
In the right panel
Select Item Properties tab
In the Main Properties box type a description of the sources of data for the map
Select Font > Arial > Font Style > Bold > Size 10 >OK
Select Alignment Horizontal = Left
Uncheck X in Frame box
Position the Data Source text box in the lower left corner of the map.
Step 4.4: Add Date Label:
On the menu bar, select Layout > Add Label
click in the map at the position where you want the title to appear
In the right panel
Select Item Properties tab
In the Main Properties box type the date
Select Font > Arial > Font Style > Bold > Size 16 > OK
Select Alignment Horizontal = Center
Uncheck X in Frame box
Position the date label box in the upper part of the map in a place where it does not cover any site labels.
Step 4.5: Add Legend:
Since two sets of data are display, two legends are needed. A useful feature for formatting the legend titles is the “wrap” feature found in Print Composer by left clicking in the Legend box In the Main Properties box. You can define a “wrap character” and insert that character in the legend title to force the text following the wrap character to move onto the next line.
On the menu bar, select Layout > Add Legend
Click in the map at the position where you want the title to appear
In the right panel
Select Item Properties tab
Select Fonts > Title Font > Arial > Font Style > Bold > Size 24 > OK
Select Sub-Group Fonts > Title Font > Arial > Font Style > Bold > Size 16 > OK
In Wrap Text On box type ^
Select Legend Items tab
Click on Staff_Counts
Select Update [pic] icon
In Item Text box type IMCI participants^Doctors > OK
Select Legend Items tab
Click on Districts_with_Pops
Select Update [pic] icon
In Item Text box type Population^distribution by^percentage
OK
Drag the legend to the upper right corner of the map, then use the arrow keys for fine-tuning position adjustments
Step 4.6: Add North Arrow:
On the menu bar, select Layout > Add Image
Left click in the lower right corner of the map at the position where you want the North Arrow to appear
On the right panel select Item Properties tab
Click on Search directories section to expand
Choose the north arrow you prefer from icon table
Uncheck the Background box
Step 4.7: Add Scale Bar:
On the menu bar, select Layout > Add Scale Bar
Left click in the lower right corner of the map at the position where you want the Scale Bar to appear
In the right panel in Units box select Meters
In the Label box type km
In the Map units per bar box type 0.01
In Segments select Left 0 and Right 3
In the Size box type 0.1 units
Drag the Scale Bar and North Arrow to resize and position
Step 5: Save as Template:
Select menu option Composer > Save as Template
Browse to folder = TT-Hue-Province
File name = DoctorMap
Save > Yes
Select menu option Composer > Quit
Step 6: Create printing templates for Nurses, Midwives and Total Staff
Repeat Step 2 changing DoctorStyle to NurseStyle
Select menu option Project > New Print Composer
Type Nurse in the Composer Title box > OK
Select menu option Composer > Load from Template
Select DoctorMap > Open
Select menu option Composer > Save as Template
Browse to folder = TT-Hue-Province
Type File Name = NurseMap
Save
If the map does not render clearly or sharply
Click on the Refresh icon [pic]
Edit the title and other text boxes to reflect “nurse” data
Select menu option Composer > Save as Template
Browse to folder = TT-Hue-Province
Select NurseMap
Save > Yes
Select menu option Composer > Quit
Repeat Step 6 for Midwives and for Total Staff
Step 7: Save your project and exit
Select menu option Project > Save
Select menu option Project > Exit QGIS
The result of your work is a map for doctors’ training data that should look similar to this:
[pic]
Step 8: Backup your work
Make a copy of the entire project folder on a CD, DVD, thumb drive, portable hard drive or some other media such as online cloud storage like Google Drive. Store this copy at some location away from your computer in case of fire, theft, earthquake, hard drive crash, etc. After working so hard on this project, it would be a shame to lose all your labor.
2 Chapter 19: Updating data and printing maps
Purpose
Recall that in Chapter 5, Form 1: M&E - GIS Project Data helped define the maps that are needed for your project. These maps were developed in Chapters 9 and 16.
A good final step is to ask one or two colleagues to review your maps. Another set of eyes can often find errors that are invisible to you, the map creator. It is best to get this feedback before your M&E maps are published.
Written instructions describing how to prepare the maps are absolutely necessary. The written instructions are useful whenever the responsibility for preparing maps changes from one person to another. The person familiar with the map preparation procedures may not be available to train a new person. Another benefit of written instructions is to make sure this step is completed quickly and accurately -- two areas that can suffer if the preparer has only his or her memory to rely on for preparing the maps.
Distribution of the maps as reports is another critical step. If your hard work in data collection and map preparation does not get to people who can use the information to make decisions, then your hard work may be wasted. Distribution can be in the form of printed maps or can be done electronically.
Exercise 12: Updating data from field reports
Time to Complete: 25 minutes
It is very important to update your data with each new field report from the data collectors. The accuracy of your map depends on the freshness of data. If the data collected in your attribute table is too old or out-of-date, the information you wish to convey in your map may have become obsolete. This exercise will teach you how to update the attribute table with new data.
The person responsible for data collection may or may not be the person who was trained for data input in Chapter 13.
Step 1: Review the report received from the data collectors for accuracy.
Accuracy is critical if the resulting M&E report maps are to tell the true story of your project. Quality control of data entry should be performed by a second person.
Step 2: Preparing the QGIS attribute table for updating
Start QGIS
Select menu option Project > Open
Browse to folder TT-Hue-Province
Select the project named CategoryMap
Open
Right click Staff_counts layer > Open attribute table
Select Toggle Editing [pic] at the top of the screen to turn editing “on”
Step 3: Make changes to the data
Click on entry to be changed
Type the new value
Press Tab key
Repeat these actions until all data is updated
Step 4: Save the edits to the attribute table
When you are finished updating data
Select Toggle Editing [pic]on the toolbar to turn editing “off”
Choose Save
Close the attribute table by clicking on the X in the upper right corner
Step 5: Save your project
Select menu option Project > Save
Step 6: Backup procedure:
To avoid losing data in the event of a human or computer error, make a backup copy of the updated data as follows:
Right click Staff_counts layer > Choose Save As
Choose Format Unicode Text
File name StaffBackupData > Save > OK > OK
The attribute table could be quickly rebuilt from this backup file using the steps found in this exercise.
Exercise 13: Printing maps
Time to Complete: 15 minutes
Step 1: Update data
Follow the instructions in Exercise 12 to update your data.
Step 2: Open project file
Start QGIS
Select menu option Project > Open
Browse to folder TT-Hue-Province
Select map file named CategoryMap
Step 3: Select data to print
Right click Staff_counts layer > Properties
. Select Style tab
Select Load Style DoctorStyle > Open
Select Apply > OK
Step 4: Load Template to print
Select menu option Project
Select Print Composers > Doctor
Click on the Refresh icon [pic]
Step 5: Change the Date and count of Doctors trained
Click in the date box > select Main Properties tab
Change the date to the current reporting month
Click in the banner box > select Main Properties tab
Change the count to the current total
Step 6: Create image file of map
Select menu option Composer
Select Export as Image
Choose Files of Type jpg
Name file with an appropriate name
Save
Step 7: Save Project
Select menu option Project > Save
Step 8: Print your map from the saved image
Open the JPG Image of your map using Microsoft Office Picture Manager or any program that will open a JPG file
File > Print > uncheck fit picture to frame
Print
Part 6:
APPENDIXES
Appendix A:
Installing QGIS on Mac
Mac - *requires the installation of the GDAL and GSL frameworks before installing the QGIS package*
1. Go to
2. Scroll down to the section labeled “4 MacOS X”
3. Click on “KyngChaos QGIS download page” under the section named 4.1 Release
4. First download and install the GDAL Complete 1.9 framework package
a. Click on on “GDAL Complete 1.9 framework package” under “Requirements” to be directed to a new page
b. Click on “GDAL 1.9 Complete [33.6 MiB] 2013-5-1” to begin downloading the .dmg file to your mac
c. In the folder where you downloaded it, select and open the GDAL_Complete-1.9.dmg file next
d. Double click on the “GDAL Complete.pkg” icon to begin installation
e. Follow the instructions on the installer wizard to complete installation
5. Next download and install the GSL framework package also found on the “KyngChaos Qgis download page”:
a. Click on on “GSL framework” under “Requirements” to be directed to a new page
b. Click on “GSL framework v1.15-2 [1.5 MiB]” to begin downloading the .dmg file to your mac
c. In the folder where you downloaded it, select and open “GSL_framework-1.15-2.dmg” file next
d. Double click on the “GSL framework.pkg” icon to begin installation
e. Follow the instructions on the installer wizard to complete installation
6. Once both the GDAL and GSL frameworks are installed, download and install the QGIS software also found on “KyngChaos Qgis download page”:
a. Click on the “QGIS 1.8.0-2 [75.9 MiB]” link under “Download” to begin downloading the .dmg file to your mac
b. In the folder where you downloaded it, select and open “QGIS-1.8.0-2.dmg” next
c. Double click on the “QuantumGIS.pkg” to begin installation
d. Follow the instructions on the installer wizard to complete installation
7. You are now ready to begin using QGIS
Appendix B: Continuation of GIS Use
The Diversity of GIS
Congratulations on designing your Monitoring and Evaluation system and creating your first maps using GIS technology! Now that you’ve made it this far, you can utilize the valuable skills you have learned from this handbook and apply them to real world situations. The contents of this handbook will assist you in your experimental design and application of Monitoring and Evaluation using GIS to identify and map problems selected by you. GIS software has incredible capabilities and can assist in the modeling of a wide array of real world issues found in professional settings and industries such as, business, law enforcement, government, healthcare, education, transportation, etc.
An example of using a Monitoring and Evaluation system in conjunction with GIS could be to track the spread of disease just like John Snow's 1855 map of the cholera outbreak in London. Ideally, one could record the coordinates of known cases of a disease and then map them out to see if there is any spatial pattern to that data. Perhaps all the cases are close to a certain river or spatially concentrated around a certain area. The data could also be overlaid with other types of data, such as population demographics, pollution sources, or locations of forests. By doing this it is possible to discern relationships between variables, and therefore come a step closer to monitoring and evaluating the spread and cause of the disease, ultimately leading to prevention or cures.
Another example of using M&E combined with GIS could be to study the effects and management of water resources. As China’s construction of dams and navigation channels along the Mekong River continues, the inevitable changes to the river’s natural ecosystem and will drastically affect the livelihood of millions of people living in Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. In this situation, M&E combined with GIS can be used to track and analyze the repercussions of dam construction such as, reduced fish population, loss of biodiversity, shoreline erosion, family relocation, and more.
Before GIS, the technology to perform this type of analysis wasn’t accessible to the general public, and what was available was limited by difficult user interface as well as a very high price tag.
Now that you have completed MEDRIX’s Monitoring and Evaluating Programs and Projects Using GIS handbook, you are equipped with the skills necessary to be able to perform your own GIS analysis, according to your specific research needs. Good luck on your quest for geographic knowledge!
Appendix C: How to take a screenshot
Time to Complete: 10 Minutes
This quick exercise will teach you how to create a screenshot on your computer running Windows Software. Taking a screenshot can be helpful because it allows you to save, annotate, or share an image of whatever appears on your computer screen. For example, if you’re having an issue with software operation or errors, it can be helpful to take a screenshot of the situation and email it to your instructor for help. You could also take a screenshot of your completed assignments to share with your instructor for approval.
For Windows XP or older
Step 1: Press the Print Screen key on your keyboard. It may be labeled “PrtScn”
Step 2: Start Microsoft Paint
Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Paint
Step 3: (Optional) Crop out unnecessary portions of the image
If your image contains unnecessary portions you wish to omit, you may crop those portions out of your image before you save your screenshot.
Click the “Select Tool” from the left sidebar. It looks like a dotted-line rectangle and drag the tool on the image to select your desired area.
[pic]
Step 4: Save your Screenshot
Select from menu option File > Save As
Name your Screenshot “Test Screenshot”
Choose a file type you want to save your screenshot as
Save your project to your “TT-Hue-Province” folder
For Windows Vista or Newer
Windows Vista and newer versions of Windows come with a program called the Snipping Tool which allows you to snip different portions of your computer screen
Step 1: Start Snipping Tool
Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Snipping Tool
Step 2: Select the Type of Snip
Click on the arrow next to the New button and choose
Free-Form Snip – Take snips of irregular shapes like triangles or circles.
Rectangular Snip – Allows you to make a clean rectangular snip of an area
Window Snip – Captures your current browser window or dialog box in a snip
Full-Screen Snip – Takes a snip of whatever is displayed on your computer screen
Step 3: Capture the Snip
Step 4: Save, Annotate, and Share the Image
Click the Save Snip button
Enter a name for the Snip
Choose a Location to save the Snip
Choose a File type to save the Snip as
Click Save
Step 5: Share a Snip
Click the arrow on the Send Snip button
Select an option from the list
Now you should be able to take a screenshot of anything on your computer screen and share it with whomever you want. This should be used to submit completed assignments to your instructor and to ask for help.
Index
attribute 18
attribute 55
clip 20
choropleth 54
Choropleth Map 20
Clip 25
Color Ramp 57
Coordinate System 19
GADM 21, 23
Inset Map 20, 83
label 59
label-X 59
label-Y 59
move 60
label 74
layer 18
Reference Map 20
shapefile 20
Thematic Map 20
vector 18
Zoom 28
-----------------------
Monitoring
Health Care
Outcomes
Using GIS
[pic]
Chapter Objectives
• Understanding the approach of this Handbook
• Introducing Monitoring and Evaluation using GIS
Monitoring
Health Care
Outcomes
Using GIS
[pic]
Chapter Objectives
• Learning about Monitoring and Evaluation and its benefits
• Exploring the applications of M&E
Chapter Objectives
• Understanding how M&E integrates with GIS
• Exploring the applications of GIS
Chapter Objectives
• Defining the goals of your project
• Performing the initial evaluation process
Chapter Objectives
• Deciding what method to document the project decisions
• Choosing a model or format that will best fit your situation
• Evaluating sources of data and collection process
Monitoring
Health Care
Outcomes
Using GIS
[pic]
Chapter Objectives
• Evaluating suitable GIS software for your situation
• Installing QGIS software
• Learning to use GIS software
Exercise Objectives
• Learn how to download QGIS
TIP: It is possible to change the language of QGIS from English to another language such as Vietnamese. However, since translation is the work of volunteers, the translation may be one or two versions behind the current version of QGIS. New commands and options that have not yet been translated will still appear but in English.
Chapter Objectives
• Learning where to find appropriate GIS maps
• Downloading digital maps
•
Exercise Objectives
• Learn how to download map files
Chapter Objectives
• Load maps into QGIS
• Create a reference map
Exercise Objectives
• Learn how to create a Province-Level Reference Map
• Learn how to “clip” layers
Monitoring
Health Care
Outcomes
Using GIS
[pic]
Chapter Objectives
• Defining the purpose of collecting data
• Deciding where to collect data
• Choosing what data to collect
• Learning how to use GPS to gather data
Chapter Objectives
• Deciding who will collect the data
• Choosing how often to collect data
• Designing data collection forms
Chapter Objectives
• Formatting key indicators in a spreadsheet
• Learning what data items are required for QGIS
• Designing data collection forms
Exercise Objectives
• Learning how to create a data file for importing into QGIS
Mac users
If you are using an Apple Mac and Excel for Mac, there is a known problem when the file is saved as File Type = “CSV”. So, even if you don’t intent to write text in languages other than English, use file type “UTF-16 Unicode Text” so the data can be successful added as a delimited text layer in QGIS.
Exercise Objectives
• Practicing how to create a file of population data for importing into QGIS
Chapter Objectives
• Training a staff person to perform data collection
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CJ OJ[?]QJ[?]^J[?]aJ híc\hk‰CJ OJ[?]QJ[?]^J[?]aJ hXk^hk‰5?CJ(\?aJ( hXk^hk‰CJ(OJ[?]QJ[?]^J[?]aJ(híc\hk‰5?\?
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CJ8OJQJaJTraining a staff person to perform data entry
• Obtaining periodic field report updates
Chapter Objectives
• The latitude and longitude coordinate system
• How latitude and longitude work together
• Different latitude and longitude formats
Chapter Objectives
• Learning how to determine spatial coordinates using a GPS receiver, a smart phone, compass, Google Maps/Earth, and/or QGIS
Monitoring
Health Care
Outcomes
Using GIS
[pic]
Chapter Objectives
• Creating a thematic map
• Learning how to import data from spreadsheet files
• Choosing appropriate symbols and labels to use in your map
Exercise Objectives
• Create a category map
• Importing data from a spreadsheet file
NOTE: If you have used QUERY BUILDER on this layer, you cannot edit data in the attribute table.
Exercise Objectives
• Display colors based on data values
• Define text for use in legends
NOTE: Most map readers intuitively understand that dark colors represent higher values and light colors represent lower values. When choosing your colors, remember that most map readers will generally understand a dark-to-light color scheme.
Exercise Objectives
• Practice importing data from a spreadsheet file
• Display data using the labeling function
• Create and save a style
Exercise Objectives
• Displaying meaningful labels on the map
Monitoring
Health Care
Outcomes
Using GIS
[pic]
Exercise Objectives
• Learning how to prepare maps for distribution
• Creating template for the map
• Adding titles, legends and text boxes to the map
Chapter Objectives
• Learning how to prepare maps for distribution
TIP: Remember you can use screenshots to share and electronically distribute your maps to your instructors and colleagues. Refer to Exercise 2 for details.
Exercise Objectives
• Learning how to update the attribute table with data from Field Reports
• Learning how to add new columns and values to an existing attribute table
NOTE: If you use QUERY BUILDER for this layer, you cannot edit data in the attribute table of this layer.
Exercise Objectives
• Learning how to print maps for distribution
Monitoring
Health Care
Outcomes
Using GIS
[pic]
Chapter Objectives
• Harnessing the potential of GIS
Exercise Objectives
• Learning how to create a screenshot with Windows software
TIP: Some keyboards or mobile PC’s that don’t have the “Print Screen” button might use other keyboard combinations, such as FN+INSERT, to take a screen capture. Check the information that came with your computer or the manufacturer’s website for more information.
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