Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MSc)
Department
Geography & Environmental Studies
Program Name/Specialization
Geomatics
Faculty/School
Faculty of Arts
First Advisor
Colin Robertson
Advisor Role
Advisor
Second Advisor
Rob Feick
Advisor Role
Advisor
Third Advisor
Bob Sharpe
Advisor Role
Advisor
Abstract
In recent years there has been a growing number of online user communities engaged in the creation, visualization, and use of volunteered geographic information (VGI). These data may represent an untapped resource for researchers analyzing large-area geographic phenomena such as species distributions patterns or land and resource management issues. However very few studies have used VGI for analytic research questions as little is known about the quality of these data. An understanding of the validity of VGI is a prerequisite for further exploitation of these novel data sources in research contexts. This paper looks to identify key issues related to the credibility of VGI through a critical literature review. If the measurement of data quality for volunteered geographic data can be established in a formal framework, many new sources of information that could potentially be used to answer cross-cutting geographic research questions of interest to established communities. This low cost alternative to traditional sources of data can be used for up-to-date geographic information, if the data can be trusted.
Recommended Citation
Meier, Joel C H, "An Analysis of Quality for Volunteered Geographic Information" (2015). Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive). 1712.
https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/1712
Convocation Year
2015
Convocation Season
Spring