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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as an essential tool for crime analysts. This course will offer students an opportunity to gain skills in using GIS software to apply spatial analysis techniques to criminal justice and criminological research questions.

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as an essential tool for crime analysts. This course will offer students an opportunity to gain skills in using GIS software to apply spatial analysis techniques to criminal justice and criminological research questions.

While this course focuses on the spatial analysis of crime, the tools and techniques learned in the course apply to public health, epidemiolocal, economic, and sociological phenomena.

The course will incorporate diverse learning activities including lectures that provide a conceptual understanding of the tools and techniques, as well as hands-on skills training in the form of labs. Lessons will focus on using QGIS software to make maps, manage spatial data, and conduct rigorous statistical analysis in the exploration of spatially derived research questions. The laboratory section of the course will give students the opportunity for hands-on learning on how to use GIS systems to analyze data and produce maps and reports. These laboratory exercises will be designed to increasingly challenge the students to incorporate the analytic skills and techniques they have learned during the course. Students can download the lab data and follow along. Importantly, I have lab instructions that students can download and use in the future.

Course Requirements:

GIS Software and Data This course relies heavily on QGIS, GeoDa, and SaTScan software.

       o Download QGIS 3.16

       o Download GeoDa 1.18

       o Download SaTScan 9.6

Computer Access Students will need a personal computer or public computer where they can download the software and data.

Prerequisites This course assumes no previous experience in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) or statistics. The basic ability to use a desktop computer and Microsoft Office applications is required.

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Good to know

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Provides opportunity to gain skills in GIS software and spatial analysis techniques for crime analysis
Applies to not only crime analysis, but also public health, epidemiology, economics, and sociology
Incorporates diverse learning activities, including lectures and hands-on labs
Uses QGIS software, which is free and open-source
Provides lab instructions for future reference
Assumes no prior experience in GIS or statistics

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mapping and Spatial Analysis of Crime- Open Software Edition with these activities:
Compile course resources
Enhance your organization and recall by compiling all relevant course materials in one central location.
Show steps
  • Gather lecture notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
  • Organize the materials into folders or a digital notebook.
Join a study group for GIS
Deepen your understanding of GIS concepts and techniques by engaging in discussions and collaborative learning with peers.
Show steps
  • Find a study group or create one with classmates.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course materials.
  • Work together on assignments and projects.
Explore QGIS tutorials
Enhance your proficiency in using QGIS by following online tutorials that provide hands-on guidance.
Show steps
  • Search for QGIS tutorials that cover topics relevant to the course.
  • Follow the instructions in the tutorials to practice using QGIS.
  • Experiment with different features and functions of QGIS.
Two other activities
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Develop a GIS workflow for a research question
Solidify your ability to apply GIS techniques to real-world problems by developing a workflow for a research question.
Browse courses on Spatial Analysis
Show steps
  • Brainstorm a research question that can be addressed using GIS.
  • Identify the necessary data and sources.
  • Create a workflow outlining the steps involved in analyzing the data.
  • Apply the workflow to analyze the data.
  • Interpret the results and draw conclusions.
Create a GIS map or report
Demonstrate your proficiency in using GIS by creating a map or report that visualizes and analyzes spatial data.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic or research question.
  • Collect and prepare the necessary data.
  • Create a map or report using QGIS or other GIS software.
  • Analyze the data and interpret the results.

Career center

Learners who complete Mapping and Spatial Analysis of Crime- Open Software Edition will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Geographic Information Systems Specialist
A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist uses GIS to create and manage geographic data. They also use GIS to analyze spatial data and produce maps and reports. This course can build a strong foundation in GIS software and spatial analysis techniques, which would be valuable for a GIS Specialist.
Geospatial Intelligence Analyst
Geospatial Intelligence Analysts use GIS to analyze and visualize geospatial data to support national security and defense objectives.
Law Enforcement Officer
A Law Enforcement Officer uses GIS to analyze crime patterns and trends. They also use GIS to track suspects and plan their routes. While the focus of this course is on the analysis of crime data, the concepts and skills learned can be applied to other areas of law enforcement.
Public Health Analyst
A Public Health Analyst uses GIS to analyze and visualize public health data. They also use GIS to identify and address public health problems. This course can provide Public Health Analysts with skills in using GIS software and applying spatial analysis techniques to public health research.
Transportation Planner
Transportation Planners use GIS to analyze交通 patterns and trends. They also use GIS to create maps and reports that can be used to plan and improve transportation systems. This course would provide Transportation Planners with essential skills in using GIS software and applying spatial analysis techniques to their work.
Surveyor
Surveyors use GIS to create maps and surveys of land. They also use GIS to analyze spatial data and produce reports. This course can provide Surveyors with the skills needed to use GIS software and apply spatial analysis techniques to their work.
Urban Planner
Urban Planners use GIS to analyze land use and zoning data. They also use GIS to create maps and reports that can be used to plan and develop communities. This course can provide Urban Planners with the skills needed to use GIS software and apply spatial analysis techniques to their work.
Geographer
Geographers study the physical and human characteristics of the Earth's surface. They use GIS to analyze and visualize spatial data, which can be used to understand a variety of topics, such as land use, climate change, and population distribution. This course would help Geographers develop skills in using GIS software and applying spatial analysis techniques to their research.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists use GIS to analyze spatial data for disease patterns and other health issues. The skills learned in this course would be immediately applicable to studying disease patterns and trends.
Market Researcher
Market Researchers use GIS to analyze market data and identify trends. They also use GIS to create maps and reports that can be used to make informed business decisions. This course would provide Market Researchers with foundational skills in using GIS software and applying spatial analysis techniques to their research.
Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Agents use GIS to analyze market data and identify trends. They also use GIS to create maps and reports that can be used to inform their clients about the real estate market. This course would introduce Real Estate Agents to the basics of GIS and spatial analysis, which could be useful for understanding market trends and identifying potential clients.
Emergency Management Specialist
An Emergency Management Specialist uses GIS to analyze and model disaster risks and vulnerabilities. In addition to analyzing potential disasters, these individuals work to mitigate and prepare for potential disasters. By using this course as a foundation, Emergency Management Specialists can build essential skills in using GIS to better prepare for disasters.
Water Resources Manager
Water Resources Managers use GIS to analyze water resources data. They also use GIS to create maps and reports that can be used to plan and manage water resources. This course may be useful for Water Resources Managers who want to develop skills in using GIS software and applying spatial analysis techniques to their work.
Crime Analyst
A Crime Analyst uses GIS to examine patterns relating to crime incidents. These patterns include characteristics, incidents within a region, and hot spots. Understanding these patterns helps pinpoint causes, identify solutions, and enables better allocation of resources. As a result, this course may be useful for exploring methods of identifying crime patterns through GIS.
Environmental Scientist
An Environmental Scientist focuses on the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the natural environment. In order to achieve this, Environmental Scientists use GIS to study and analyze geographic data related to the environment. This course can help develop a foundation for understanding the use of GIS systems and interpreting spatial data for environmental research.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Mapping and Spatial Analysis of Crime- Open Software Edition.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of spatial analysis, including chapters on crime mapping, spatial regression, and geostatistics.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the use of statistics for spatial data. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to learn more about this field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between crime and place. It valuable resource for students and scholars who want to learn more about this field.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of crime prevention through environmental design. It valuable resource for students and scholars who want to learn more about this field.
This journal publishes articles on all aspects of geographical information science, including spatial analysis, remote sensing, and GIS.
Provides a comprehensive overview of criminological theory, including chapters on biological, psychological, and sociological theories of crime.
Provides a sociological perspective on crime and social inequality, including chapters on the relationship between poverty, race, and crime.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the use of maps in censuses and surveys, including chapters on data collection, data analysis, and data visualization.

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