Identifying Data Needs
Identifying Data Needs Purpose Before looking for data, the methodology needs to be analyzed to establish what data is needed The most important question that needs to be answered is: WHY DO I NEED THIS DATA?
Why do I need this data? If the data is truly needed then this question is easily answered If this question can not be easily answered then the data most likely is not necessary to solve the problem
Example Problems and how to establish data needs
Example 1: Hurricane Katrina The previous methodology: Determine the flooded area based on elevation information and the current water level 1. Determine the number of people inside of the affected area by using the the flooded area as a reference 2. Determine the civil infrastructural 3. Determine where possible outlets for damage based on the flooded area hazardous materials are located at Determine if any of these outlets are located in the flooded area Determine the type of hazardous waste in question and evaluate its potential impact
Example 1: Continued Data needs: Elevation Data To establish the flooded area Population Data To determine where people are located at Infrastructure Data To determine any infrastructural problems that was caused by the flood waters
Example 1: Continued Elevation Data Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Population Data CENSUS data Infrastructure Data Road network data
Example 2: What are the possible impacts of wild fires in Chaparral forest of California? The previous methodology: Etblih Establish where fires have occurred din the past and where they are currently occurring 1. Determine where human populations occur 2. Utilize wildlife information to determine what types of wild life live in these areas Determine if the population has Been affected in the past or is presently affected by a current fire Utilize wildlife habitat information to determine any possible impacts Utilize the information as the where people p live to determine where the wild fire impact has occurred
Example 2: Continued Establish where fires have occurred in the past and where they are currently occurring 3. Determine where infrastructure exist Where fires have occurred Where fires are currently occurring Determine what damages have occurred And Determine the potential cause of this damage Establish infrastructure that is still in good condition And Establish infrastructure that is currently at risk or has been damaged Establish the potential cause of any damage
Example 2: Continued Data Needs Some form of imagery of the area Establish where wild fire impact has occurred and is currently occurring Population data Establish were people are living Infrastructure data Establish where infrastructure exist
Example 2: Continued Imagery of the Area LANDSAT satellite imagery Population data Census data Infrastructure data Road network data
Example 3: The West Nile Virus in The previous methodology: Brazos County Research on what causes West Nile Virus Mosquitoes Suitable Habitat for Mosquitoes Drainage ditches Areas where there is high potential for standing water
Example 3: Continued Research on what are the indications that West Nile Virus is in a particular location Animals Trapping And testing Mosquitoes Infected Humans Birds Domestic Animals Dead Birds Blood Samples Blood Samples From live wild birds
Data Needs Example 3: Continued Population data To establish where population p densities are located Mosquito Trap information To establish locations where the virus is located Locations of infected animals/humans To establish a very basic map of the virus Infrastructure t Data To establish where drainage ditches and any other sources of standing water may be found
Example 3: Continued Population Data Census data Mosquito Trap Information Contact county officials Locations of infected Animals/Humans Contact county officials Infrastructure data Contact county GIS coordinator
Conclusion The key to assessing data needs is to always remember to ask why do you need a particular piece of data