Understanding the principles of data sharing for GIS systems

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Seeking out a geographical information systems (GIS) degree can be of great benefit to students looking for an education that offers a wide variety of career possibilities. With that said, it is important to state that the processes involved in GIS are quite complex, for all of the professions in which they are employed. The nature of data sharing alone – one of the primary functions of GIS – is a particularly multi-faceted subject, and that is just one aspect of the technology.

Nevertheless, learning the ins and outs of data sharing on even a fairly general level will be of great value to interested students. Those who aspire to obtain a GIS master's degree or an undergraduate diploma might do well to start here.

Policies regarding proper data sharing with GIS

GIS technologies are commonly used to display and distribute data among government departments and agencies. Since this data is intended, in great part, for the use of the general public, it must be made accessible to the average citizen in a manner that is user-friendly and at the lowest possible cost to all involved.

Federal Geographic Data Committee Sharing Policy Statements: These standards were first adopted in 1992, when GIS technologies were only beginning to become prevalent. They explain that government agencies are required to provide their GIS data in a way that makes the information as useful as possible and requires only the bare minimum of expense on the part of the government and its citizens

New York State Information Technology Policy: This document was authored by the New York state chief information officer for the Office for Technology. In New York, GIS data is made available to the public and agencies of the state government via a Data Sharing Cooperative. Students may learn that their state has a similar policy.

Ogemaw County Data Sharing Agreement: All agencies wishing to obtain GIS data from the government of Ogewmaw County, Michigan must fill out and sign this official document. It includes clauses that prevent unauthorized sharing of the data between the signee and other agencies that have not signed.

Analysis of GIS and related data sharing principles

Despite the somewhat readily apparent purpose of GIS data – making a wealth of information available through advanced mapping technology – the processes and technologies involved are far from simple. These articles, research abstracts and white papers provide detailed explanations of how GIS is used on both specific and general levels, and may be potentially useful to students in GIS online certificate programs.

Metadata and GIS: In this white paper, commissioned by the state of Ohio, the research firm Esri explains the role of metadata in GIS systems and how it facilitates data sharing.

Challenges to Effective Data Sharing: The testimony before Congress of members of the U.S. General Accounting Office explains some of the advancements and drawbacks that have befallen the data sharing capabilities of GIS systems. Students would do well to understand difficulties in their prospective field.

Issues in GIS data sharing: This article, originally published in Geospatial Today, details the contentious issues affecting data sharing in GIS. These include arguments over complimentary or paid access to data and whether to emphasize easy access to information or concentrate on security.

GIS for health data sharing and management: This study's abstract, conducted by the University of Salerno in Italy and archived by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, summarizes the potential benefits for applying GIS data sharing concepts to public health information.

Advantages of Web Based Technology to Local Government: The advantages achieved by local governments in the U.K. that integrated GIS data sharing into their operations are explained in this white paper.

Application of GIS data sharing in various government agencies

Reading about the potential inherent in GIS data sharing, though informative, may not be as useful as examples of how these processes are utilized on a regular basis.

Clark County GIS Data Products: This webpage provides a description of how GIS data from the government of Clark County, Nevada can be purchased and accessed by eligible local government representatives.

Illinois Department of Transportation: Here, students who are considering pursing GIS degrees online can see how this agency allows other state government departments to connect to its database of GIS information and promote inter-agency cooperation.

Washington State Department of Transportation: This plan provides far more extensive details of the pilot program initiated to allow for GIS data sharing within this Washington state agency.

Spatial Data Architecture for the State of Tennessee: An outline of the five-year program adopted by Tennessee to share GIS information with local governments all over the state will provide a wealth of useful information to GIS degree program students.

Couer d'Alene Tribe GIS Data: GIS is used quite widely today, as exemplified by this site's GIS data resources maintained by the leadership of the Coeur d'Alene American Indian tribe, based in the Northwestern U.S.

National Park Service: Viewers of this page can learn how this agency shares GIS data on various U.S. national parks.