USER TIPS

Tip 9 - Understanding Thematic Classification Methods

When mapping your data thematically you must select a method by which to classify your data. The classification that you choose can have a major impact on the way that the data is presented and it is important to be aware of the different classification methods that are available and how they work.

Within Geoplan software the following classification methods are available:

Equal Value Ranges
The records are separated into classes with equal data value ranges. For example, a variable with integer values of 0 – 100 might be broken into four classes:

1. The first class would contain records with values from 0-25.
2. The second class would contain records with values from 26-50.
3. The third class would contain records with values from 51-75.
4. The fourth class would contain records with values from 76-100.

Equal Class Counts
The records are separated so that there are an equal number of records in each class. For example, 100 records might be broken down into four classes, each containing 25 records.

Means & Standard Deviations
The standard deviation of the variable is determined and is multiplied by the number of classes you set to form the limits of each class. If you choose and even number or classes, the middles classes fall on either side of the mean. If you choose an odd number of classes, the middle class contains the mean.

Set Value Ranges
You can set your own value ranges for each class. For example you might create three classes:

1. The first containing records with values between 1 and 20.
2. The second containing records with values between 20 and 70.
3. The third containing records with values between 70 and 100.

Set Class Counts
You can set the number of records that you want to fall in each class. For example, you could have three classes:

1. The first contains 10 records.
2. The second contains 20 records.
3. The third contains 15 records.

The software will then attempt to classify the data to create the class counts as close as possible to those specified.

Set Class Percentages
You can set the percentage of records that you want to fall into each class, with lower values falling into lower classes and higher values falling into higher classes. For example, you might have:

1. Two classes with 90% of the records in class 1.
2. The top 10% of the records in class 2.

The software then attempts to classify the data to create class percentages as close as possible to those specified.

Individual Values
Each distinct data value is assigned its own class. This classification method is the only method available for use with character variables. A maximum of 1000 classes can be displayed.

Tip 10 - Report Wizard – Using the Drawing Tools to Customise Your Output

The Report Wizard includes a variety of tools and functions to enable you to enhance your map and report output beyond what is possible within the standard system. One of the new features included within the Report Wizard is the drawing toolbar, which provides you with the ability to incorporate graphics without the need for external software.

To access the drawing toolbar select View > Toolbars > Drawing Toolbar.

The Toolbar contains the following tools:

• Standard Pointer - Sets the drawing tool back to the standard pointer.
• Line - Select this button to draw a line on the report.
• Rectangle - Select this button to draw a rectangle on the report.
• Ellipse - Select this button to draw an ellipse on the report.
• Arrow - Select this button to draw an arrow on the report.
• Image - Select this button to add an image to the report.
• Text - Select this button to add a text box to the report.
• Properties - Select this button to open the properties dialog for the selected item.

By utilising a combination of the drawing tools you can spice up your map output to incorporate additional text and images as well as highlight areas of interest.