GIS Training Workshops

In June 2007, the MPC Spatial Analysis Core held a 2-day workshop designed to train social scientists to use the National Historical Geographic Information System, a database that covers 210 years of U.S. census data.

The workshop agenda consisted of a combination of presentations and laboratory work. The course covered database creation, the data extract system, basic GIS concepts, hands-on GIS exercises, and an introduction to spatial analysis. Hands-on exercises included preparing data for use in a GIS, joining data to GIS mapping files, basic thematic mapping, geocoding, and spatial analysis.

Workshop Goals

• facilitate participants’ use of NHGIS data
• build community and connection between data users
• expose participants to potential uses of the data
• provide an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Plans for Future GIS Workshops

None currently planned