Introduction

This module covers some of the basic research tools of the urban geographer. You’ll get a glimpse into how we do what we do…data, methods, maps, etc.

Readings

Your first reading gives you the big picture. It is the Geographic Tools and Methods chapter out of an online Human Geography text. You don’t have to follow any of the out-links, but do watch the video about why all world maps are wrong. It’s a good one!

Next, we’re going to focus on data that come from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Census provides a wide variety of population-related data, but we’re going to focus on two specific (and commonly used) sources.

The American Community Survey is first.  Please go to this About the ACS website, read the general description and watch the video linked on the right-hand side. It is called “Data 101: About the American Community Survey”. You’ll probably want to maximize the video on your screen — why did they make that view window so small??

Finally, we’re going to look at OnTheMap, which focuses on employment. Please read just the first page of this introduction and then follow this link and watch the video “PART 1: OnTheMap – How to Create an Area Profile to Visualize Jobs and Workforce Data”. Don’t get hung up on all the details. Rather, focus on the big picture questions that the OnTheMap application can answer. The video will take you through a simple analysis of the employment characteristics of Dallas, TX.