Final Project Solution Help
See attached pdf
IT 242 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a report using a geographic information system (GIS) to analyze a spatial problem.
GISs are important because they allow users to manage, analyze, and display geographic information on maps. Through the use of layers, these maps help users
visualize data in different ways in order to identify patterns and relationships. GISs are used in areas as diverse as transportation systems, municipal planning,
marketing, ecology, and emergency dispatching.
For this assessment, you will write a report using a GIS to analyze one of the spatial problems listed below. You should choose a spatial problem that falls within
your area of interest.
1. Disaster Management: Meltdown at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
2. Conservation: Storm Wing Falcon Populations in Arizona
3. Business Decisions Support: Museum for Gold Mining in Yavapai County, Arizona
4. Waste Disposal: At-Risk Areas Near Waste Tire Disposal Sites in Arizona
You will also be provided with a spatial database that contains layers and shapefiles that will allow you to solve any one of the spatial problems. It will be up to
you to identify and refine data sets within this database to provide a solution.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final
submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Five. The final project will be submitted in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
IT-242-01: Apply fundamental concepts of geographic information science and technology in analyzing basic spatial problems in various disciplines
IT-242-02: Differentiate between types of spatial data for organizing data and assessing data quality
IT-242-03: Utilize basic functions of industry-standard geospatial software and tools to manipulate data in geographic information system applications
for addressing discipline-specific spatial problems
IT-242-04: Apply basic cartographic design best practices and principles to develop technically correct maps and visualizations for informing geospatial
analysis
http://snhu-media.snhu.edu/files/course_repository/undergraduate/it/it242/it242_spatial_problem_1_disaster_management.docx
http://snhu-media.snhu.edu/files/course_repository/undergraduate/it/it242/it242_spatial_problem_2_conservation.docx
http://snhu-media.snhu.edu/files/course_repository/undergraduate/it/it242/it242_spatial_problem_3_business_decisions_support.docx
http://snhu-media.snhu.edu/files/course_repository/undergraduate/it/it242/it242_spatial_problem_4_waste_disposal.docx
http://snhu-media.snhu.edu/files/course_repository/undergraduate/it/it242/final_project_data.zip
Prompt
Your report should answer the following question: What spatial problem can you solve using a GIS? Write a detailed report explaining how to solve this problem
using a GIS. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Statement of Problem
A. Discipline: Select a spatial problem from the list provided. Why did you choose this spatial problem?
B. Question: How can you use spatial techniques to answer the question?
II. Data
A. Spatial Data: Describe the spatial data that can be used to address the problem you selected. What type of spatial data did you identify? How is it
different from other types of spatial data?
B. Organization: How can you organize this data to be used in addressing the spatial problem you selected? How does the type of spatial data affect
your method for organizing the data?
C. Quality: Assess the quality of your spatial data. In other words, is the data is reliable, and is it from a trusted source? How does the type of spatial
data affect the quality of the data?
III. Methodologies
A. Outline: Outline the steps involved with converting your spatial data to the type of data needed to solve the spatial problem you selected. In other
words, what data-scrubbing methods did you use? For example, you might need to convert U.S. Census data into a spreadsheet that can then be
imported into ArcGIS.
B. Data Set(s): Describe your data set or sets. Did you have more than one? If so, describe the process you used to join or combine your data sets. If
not, why was one data set sufficient?
C. Geoprocessing Tools: Use geoprocessing tools to manipulate your data to address your spatial problem and the question you developed. Examples
of tools you could use are Clip and Buffer. Which tools did you use? Why? Support your explanation with screenshots.
D. Symbols: Apply appropriate symbols to the layers you created using geoprocessing tools. What did you consider in choosing your symbols? Include
screenshots that show your application of symbols.
E. Map(s): Create a technically correct map or maps using cartographic design best practices and principles. Ensure that your map or maps address
the problem you selected.
F. Best Practices: Which cartographic design best practices and principles did you apply to the creation of your map(s)? Why?
IV. Conclusions
A. Observations: What observations can you make about the map(s) you created? How do your observations relate to the spatial problem that you
selected?
B. Recommendations: What recommendations for solving the problem can you make based on the map(s) you created and your observations?
Justify your recommendations. Why are they appropriate?
Milestones
Milestone One: Draft of Statement of Problem
In Module Two, you will submit a draft of Section I of the final project (Statement of Problem). You will include the reasoning for your selection and describe
how you will use cartographic techniques and spatial analysis to solve your chosen problem. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Draft of Data
In Module Four, you will submit a draft of Section II of the final project (Data). You will describe the spatial data that can be used to address your chosen
problem, explain how you can organize the data to address the problem, and explain how the type of spatial data affects the organizational method. You will
also assess the quality of your data, including whether it is reliable. Be sure to provide a screenshot of the spatial database you created to address your spatial
problem. Finally, you will explain how the type of spatial data affects the quality of the data. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Draft of Methodologies
In Module Five, you will submit a draft of Section III of the final project (Methodologies). You will outline the steps involved with converting your spatial data to
the type of data needed to solve your chosen spatial problem. You will also describe your data sets and provide an explanation of the tools you used.
Furthermore, you will apply appropriate symbols to the layers you created using geoprocessing tools, and you will create technically correct maps using
cartographic design best practices and principles. You may submit this milestone in bullet point format. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three
Rubric.
Final Project Submission: Report
In Module Seven, you will submit a report using a geographic information system (GIS) to analyze a spatial problem. It should be a complete, polished artifact
containing all of the critical elements of the final project. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This should include final
maps, a spatial database, methodologies, and a conclusion. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.
Deliverables
Milestone Deliverable Module Due Grading
One Draft of Statement of Problem Two Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric
Two Draft of Data Four Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric
Three Draft of Methodologies Five Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric
Final Project Submission: Report Seven Graded separately; Final Project Rubric
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your report must be 10 to 12 pages in length (plus a cover page and references) and must be written in APA format. Use double
spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Include all data sources used, cited in APA format.
Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Statement of Problem:
Discipline
Meets Proficient criteria, and
description demonstrates
nuanced understanding of
relevance of problem for
discipline
Explains choice of selected
discipline and describes spatial
problem to be solved
Explains choice of selected discipline
and describes spatial problem to be
solved but with gaps in detail or
clarity
Does not explain choice of
selected discipline or describe
spatial problem to be solved
5.9
Statement of Problem:
Question
Meets Proficient criteria, and
question demonstrates nuanced
understanding of spatial problem
Develops question that is
practical, related to identified
spatial problem, and solvable
with cartographic techniques
and spatial analysis
Develops question, but question is
not practical, is not related to
identified spatial problem, or is not
solvable with cartographic techniques
and spatial analysis
Does not develop question 5.9
Data: Spatial Data Meets Proficient criteria, and
description demonstrates keen
insight into types of spatial data
Describes spatial data to be
used to address question,
identifying the type of spatial
data and differentiating it from
other types
Describes spatial data to be used to
address question, identifying the type
of spatial data and differentiating it
from other types, but description is
cursory or inaccurate
Does not describe spatial data
to be used to address
question
7.9
Data: Organization
Meets Proficient criteria, and
explanation demonstrates keen
insight into spatial data
organization
Explains how data can be
organized to address identified
spatial problem and how the
type of spatial data affects
organizational method
Explains how data will need to be
organized to address identified spatial
problem and how the type of spatial
data affects organizational method,
but explanation lacks clarity or detail
Does not explain how data
will need to be organized to
address identified spatial
problem or how the type of
spatial data affects
organizational method
7.9
Data: Quality Meets Proficient criteria, and
assessment demonstrates keen
insight into spatial data quality
Accurately assesses data quality
and explains how type of spatial
data affects quality
Assesses data quality and explains
how type of spatial data affects
quality, but with gaps in accuracy or
detail
Does not assess data quality
or explain how type of spatial
data affects quality
7.9
Methodologies:
Outline
Meets Proficient criteria, and
outline demonstrates nuanced
understanding of geospatial
software and spatial analysis
tools
Logically and accurately
outlines the steps to convert
spatial data to the type of data
needed to solve spatial problem
Outlines the steps to convert spatial
data to the type of data needed to
solve spatial problem but with gaps in
logic, accuracy, or detail
Does not outline the steps to
convert spatial data to the
type of data needed to solve
spatial problem
7.9
Methodologies: Data
Set(s)
Meets Proficient criteria, and
description demonstrates
nuanced understanding of
geospatial software and spatial
analysis tools
Describes data set(s), explaining
process used to combine them
or why one set was sufficient
Describes data set(s), explaining
process used to combine them or why
one set was sufficient, but with gaps
in detail or clarity
Does not describe data set(s) 7.9
Methodologies:
Geoprocessing Tools
Meets Proficient criteria, and
explanation demonstrates
nuanced understanding of
geospatial software and spatial
analysis tools
Explains use of geoprocessing
tools to manipulate data,
supporting explanation with
screenshots
Explains use of geoprocessing tools to
manipulate data, but explanation
lacks detail, clarity, or screenshot
support
Does not explain use of
geoprocessing tools to
manipulate data
7.9
Methodologies:
Symbols
Meets Proficient criteria, and
use of symbols demonstrates
keen insight into cartographic
design best practices and
principles
Applies appropriate symbols to
layers, explains symbol choice,
and includes screenshots as
support
Applies symbols to layers and explains
symbol choice, but symbols are not
appropriate or lack screenshot
support
Does not apply symbols to
layers
8
Methodologies: Map(s)
Meets Proficient criteria, and
map demonstrates expert,
professional use of cartographic
design best practices and
principles
Creates technically correct
map(s) using cartographic
design best practices and
principles and ensuring that the
map or maps address the
developed question
Creates map(s), but there are gaps in
technical correctness or use of best
practices, or the map or maps do not
address the developed question
Does not create map(s) 8
Methodologies: Best
Practices
Meets Proficient criteria, and
explanation demonstrates keen
insight into cartographic design
best practices and principles
Explains application of
cartographic design best
practices and principles to map
creation
Explains application of cartographic
design best practices and principles to
map creation, but with gaps in detail
or clarity
Does not explain application
of best practices and
principles to map creation
8
Conclusions:
Observations
Meets Proficient criteria, and
observations demonstrate
nuanced understanding of
problem solving using GIS
Makes logical, accurate
observations about map and
relates them to spatial problem
Makes observations about map, but
observations have gaps in logic or
accuracy or are not related to spatial
problem
Does not make observations
about map
5.9
Conclusions:
Recommendations
Meets Proficient criteria, and
recommendations demonstrate
nuanced understanding of
problem solving using GIS
Makes and justifies appropriate
recommendations for solving
problem based on map and
observations
Makes and justifies recommendations
for solving problem, but
recommendations are not based on
the map and observations, or
recommendations are not appropriate
Does not make and justify
recommendations for solving
problem
5.9
Articulation of
Response
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional
and easy to read format
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
Submission has major errors related
to citations, grammar, spelling,
syntax, or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or
organization that prevent
understanding of ideas
5
Earned Total 100%
