Spatial analysis

AS91247 is an internal worth 3 credits. There is no exam. You are given a real geographic problem at a real location, and you use spatial data and a mapping tool to work out an answer.

Spatial analysis is defined in the standard as three things, and all three are assessed:

• Collecting spatial data — either fieldwork with a spatial component, or accessing spatial data from other sources. Secondary data is explicitly allowed.
• Manipulating it — and the standard gives a closed list of what counts.
• Presenting it — and the presentation must include a map.

The problem cannot be a simulation. The standard says so directly. It must be a real problem, at a given location, with a spatial dimension. This is the opposite of the Level 3 version, AS91433, where the problem may be hypothetical as long as the data is real.

The seven manipulations, and the list is closed:

The manipulation	What it means
Measuring	Distances, areas, and catchments drawn at a set distance
Layering	Putting one dataset over another so they can be read together
Changing symbols	Size, colour or shape varied by a value in the data
Sorting and editing a table	Ranking rows, correcting values, adding a field
Querying the map	Selecting features that meet a rule
Using coordinate systems	Making layers line up on the ground
Displaying a graph based on the map	Charting what a selection returned

"With guidance" is defined too. Your teacher guides the type and selection of data and the manipulation technique. They do not choose your problem, run the analysis, or write your explanation.

The grade ladder:

Grade	What is added
Achieved	An appropriate solution, based on the manipulations, supported by evidence
Merit	Sufficient data, an accurate layout, and detail
Excellence	A valid solution, fully explained, with detailed evidence

Note what Level 2 does not ask for. You have to do the manipulations; you do not have to explain and then evaluate them, which is what the Level 3 version adds. Your explanation is about the solution, not about the software.

The worked problem in this topic is invented. Puketawa, its bus stops, its dwelling counts and its catchments were written for these pages so a complete analysis could be shown end to end. Your problem must be real, at a real place, using real spatial data.