Delaney, Julie 1970-

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Delaney, Julie 1970-

PERSONAL:

Born 1970.

CAREER:

Geographer, scientist, educator, and writer. University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, adjunct research fellow and adjunct and honorary staff member in earth and geographical sciences.

WRITINGS:

Geographical Information Systems: An Introduction, Oxford University Press (New York, NY), 1999, 2nd edition, written with Kimberly Van Niel, 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Julie Delaney is a faculty member of the University of Australia and the author of Geographical Information Systems: An Introduction. She is also the author, with Kimberly Van Niel, of the book's second edition. Designed for beginning users of geographical information systems (GIS), the book introduces readers to GIS concepts, principles, vocabulary, and procedures. These systems enable scientists to view, interpret, and visualize data that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps and globes, as well as reports and charts.

The book begins with a general introduction to GIS. "GIS constitutes an integrated toolbox for spatial data input, storage, management, retrieval, manipulation, analysis, modelling, output, and display," the authors note. The authors also write: "Most definitions in the literature emphasize that GIS is only a tool. One of the common mistakes made in regard to GIS is to expect that GIS will solve spatial problems in isolation. Indeed, this misconception led to a great deal of disillusionment in the 1980s. Stressing that GIS will only aid in decision making and problem solving is, therefore, an important concept in defining GIS. Successful application of GIS depends heavily on the user making critical and informed decisions."

Throughout chapter one, the book explores the various uses for GIS. In chapters two through seven, the focus is on various aspects of managing data, including identifying, capturing, and entering data into the system. "As GIS databases become larger, the need to employ good data management techniques becomes increasingly obvious," write the authors. Among the topics discussed in these chapters are the various types of data and data structures relevant to GIS, data-entry processes, how to edit or remove data, data output methods and issues, organization and management techniques, and map projections with GIS.

Chapter eight focuses on the elementary tools needed for GIS operation, such as elementary querying and display tools. Chapter nine discusses vector geoprocessing tools. Next the authors address proximity analysis and network analysis tools followed by a discussion of how to initiate landscape GIS type studies, including a look at three-dimensional models. Chapter thirteen focuses on various aspects of GIS modeling, including explicative, predictive, statistical, and cartographic modeling. Each chapter in the book also includes exercises, numerous examples, "comments from the workplace," and illustrations. The authors end their book with a section titled "Where to from Here?" They discuss the future directions of GIS and GIS in the workplace, as a well as comments from GIS users. The book's second edition includes two appendixes: the answers to exercises and stories of Australian GIS users. Also included are an index, glossary, and a references and further reading section.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Delaney, Julie, and Kimberly Van Niel, Geographical Information Systems: An Introduction, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press (New York, NY), 2007.

PERIODICALS

Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, September 1, 2001, E.J. Delaney, review of Geographical Information Systems: An Introduction, p. 150; October, 2007, E.J. Delaney, review of Geographical Information Systems, p. 311.

SciTech Book News, June, 2007, review of Geographical Information Systems.