Bertin's Theory and Data Representation

Bertin's Theory

• Bertin’s theory focuses on the relationship between the type of data and the type of symbols used to represent it on maps.

Measurement Scale

• Qualitative data is categorized, with no order (nominal) or with an order (ordinal).
• Quantitative/numerical data involves measurements, with a difference between measurements (interval) or a "true zero" (ratio).

MSU Color System

• The MSU Color system uses hue, chroma, and value to describe colors.
• Hue refers to the name of the color (e.g., red, blue, green).
• Chroma refers to the saturation or intensity of a color.
• Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.

Qualitative and Quantitative Data Representation

• Qualitative data is best represented using hue.
• Quantitative data is best represented using chroma or value.

Choropleth Maps

• Choropleth maps are thematic maps that use color or pattern to represent quantitative data.

Visualisation

• Visualisation is the process of creating a visual image in the mind.
• It involves transforming raw data into displayable images to make information understandable to the human perceptual system.
• Geo-visualization integrates cartography with other disciplines like scientific visualization and information visualization.

Gestalt Effect

• The Gestalt effect describes how viewers perceive all map elements as a unified whole. This is crucial in cartography to ensure viewers understand the map's overall message.

Bertin's Theory

• The type of data we have influences the type of symbols we use to represent it on a map, according to Bertin's Theory.
• This helps create a visual hierarchy in the map.

Measurement Scale

• Qualitative data: Categories without order (nominal) or with order (ordinal).
  • Examples: Gender, race, landform, school grades, worldwide.
• Quantitative data: Represents numerical values with a difference between measurements.
  • Interval data: Has no true zero (ex: Temperature, year).
  • Ratio data: Has a true zero (ex: Age, height, speed).

MSU Color System

• Hue: The basic color.
• Chroma (intensity) : Saturation of a color.
• Value: Difference in whiteness to the darkest version of a color.

Data Visualization

• Qualitative data: Use primarily hue to represent different categories.
• Quantitative data: Use chroma or value (lightness) to represent varying amounts.
• Choropleth maps are thematic maps that use color to represent quantitative data.

Geo-visualization

• Converts raw data into images through a series of transformations.
• These images are made understandable by the human eye.
• It's a process of visual exploration, analysis, and presentation of geospatial data.
• Combines cartography with other disciplines like:
  • Scientific visualization
  • Image analysis
  • Information visualization
  • Exploratory data analysis
  • GIS

Gestalt Effect

• In cartography, viewers perceive all map elements as a unified whole. This perception is called the Gestalt Effect.

Explore Bertin's theory which delves into the relationship between data types and their visual representation on maps. This quiz also covers measurement scales of qualitative and quantitative data, the MSU Color system, and the use of choropleth maps.