QGIS General & Statistical Maps
Budget: £20 – £250 GBP
Part 1: General Purpose Map (10%)
Objective
Create a visually clear and cartographically balanced general-purpose map that serves a defined purpose and audience. This map should not present the results of analysis but rather well-presented existing spatial data.
Steps to Complete
1. Define Purpose and Audience
Possible examples include:
A tourism map showing attractions, hotels, walking routes, and transport links for visitors.
A commuter map displaying roads, bus stops, train stations, and cycle paths.
An environmental overview showing rivers, forests, elevation, and protected areas.
Higher marks are awarded for originality and clarity of purpose.
2. Source Spatial Data
Recommended open data sources include:
OpenStreetMap
Data.gov.uk
Natural Earth
Ordnance Survey Open Data
UK Environment Agency Data
DEFRA Data Services Platform
3. Data Preparation in QGIS
Load your layers (for example, roads, rivers, land use, buildings, boundaries).
Choose an appropriate coordinate reference system (CRS), such as British National Grid (EPSG:27700) for UK-based maps.
Style the layers to ensure clarity:
Establish a clear visual hierarchy (main features more prominent than background layers).
Choose harmonious and legible colours.
Avoid clutter and unnecessary complexity.
4. Compose the Map (Print Layout)
Include the following elements:
Title
North arrow
Scale bar
Legend
Author information (enrolment number)
Metadata (data sources, date of creation)
Optional: inset map, photograph, or context map if relevant.
Ensure a balanced layout, effective use of white space, and clear visual hierarchy.
5. Short Textual Account (maximum 500 words)
Explain:
The purpose of the map.
The target audience.
Data sources used.
Design and symbology choices.
How these design choices meet the map’s intended purpose.
Part 2: Statistical or Thematic Map (15%)
Objective
Produce a statistical or thematic map that presents derived or computed data rather than raw data. This should demonstrate analysis and data processing.
Steps to Complete
1. Choose a Focus
Possible examples include:
Census-based data (population density, unemployment rate, income).
Health-related data (obesity rates vs. green space).
Crime data (crime rate per 1,000 people by ward).
Social indicators (deprivation or quality-of-life index).
2. Obtain and Prepare Data
Recommended data sources:
NOMIS
– UK census and labour market data.
ONS Open Geography Portal
– boundary shapefiles.
Local authority open data portals (for example, London Datastore).
Merge datasets using common geographic identifiers (for example, LSOA or ward codes).
3. Perform Analysis in QGIS
Use the Field Calculator to compute ratios or derived variables (for example, male/female ratio).
Join CSV attribute data with shapefiles.
Apply tools such as “Aggregate” or “Zonal Statistics” if required.
4. Cartographic Representation
Select a suitable representation method:
Choropleth map for ratios or indices.
Graduated symbols for point-based data.
Proportional circles for counts.
Decide on:
Classification method (equal interval, quantile, natural breaks).
Colour ramp (single-hue for intensity, diverging for comparative values).
Map projection (consistent CRS).
5. Compose in Print Layout
Include:
Title, legend, north arrow, scale bar, and metadata.
Optional: inset map or chart summarising the data.
6. Short Textual Account (maximum 500 words)
Explain:
What has been mapped.
How the data were derived or computed.
Why the chosen visualisation method and classification scheme were used.
What insights or patterns the map reveals.
Guidance for Higher Marks
Every design choice should support the stated purpose.
The statistical map should demonstrate meaningful data processing.
Written explanations should be concise, clear, and professional.
Include metadata and data source citations.
Use a consistent projection and scale throughout.
Export the final maps as high-resolution PDFs for submission.
Objective
Create a visually clear and cartographically balanced general-purpose map that serves a defined purpose and audience. This map should not present the results of analysis but rather well-presented existing spatial data.
Steps to Complete
1. Define Purpose and Audience
Possible examples include:
A tourism map showing attractions, hotels, walking routes, and transport links for visitors.
A commuter map displaying roads, bus stops, train stations, and cycle paths.
An environmental overview showing rivers, forests, elevation, and protected areas.
Higher marks are awarded for originality and clarity of purpose.
2. Source Spatial Data
Recommended open data sources include:
OpenStreetMap
Data.gov.uk
Natural Earth
Ordnance Survey Open Data
UK Environment Agency Data
DEFRA Data Services Platform
3. Data Preparation in QGIS
Load your layers (for example, roads, rivers, land use, buildings, boundaries).
Choose an appropriate coordinate reference system (CRS), such as British National Grid (EPSG:27700) for UK-based maps.
Style the layers to ensure clarity:
Establish a clear visual hierarchy (main features more prominent than background layers).
Choose harmonious and legible colours.
Avoid clutter and unnecessary complexity.
4. Compose the Map (Print Layout)
Include the following elements:
Title
North arrow
Scale bar
Legend
Author information (enrolment number)
Metadata (data sources, date of creation)
Optional: inset map, photograph, or context map if relevant.
Ensure a balanced layout, effective use of white space, and clear visual hierarchy.
5. Short Textual Account (maximum 500 words)
Explain:
The purpose of the map.
The target audience.
Data sources used.
Design and symbology choices.
How these design choices meet the map’s intended purpose.
Part 2: Statistical or Thematic Map (15%)
Objective
Produce a statistical or thematic map that presents derived or computed data rather than raw data. This should demonstrate analysis and data processing.
Steps to Complete
1. Choose a Focus
Possible examples include:
Census-based data (population density, unemployment rate, income).
Health-related data (obesity rates vs. green space).
Crime data (crime rate per 1,000 people by ward).
Social indicators (deprivation or quality-of-life index).
2. Obtain and Prepare Data
Recommended data sources:
NOMIS
– UK census and labour market data.
ONS Open Geography Portal
– boundary shapefiles.
Local authority open data portals (for example, London Datastore).
Merge datasets using common geographic identifiers (for example, LSOA or ward codes).
3. Perform Analysis in QGIS
Use the Field Calculator to compute ratios or derived variables (for example, male/female ratio).
Join CSV attribute data with shapefiles.
Apply tools such as “Aggregate” or “Zonal Statistics” if required.
4. Cartographic Representation
Select a suitable representation method:
Choropleth map for ratios or indices.
Graduated symbols for point-based data.
Proportional circles for counts.
Decide on:
Classification method (equal interval, quantile, natural breaks).
Colour ramp (single-hue for intensity, diverging for comparative values).
Map projection (consistent CRS).
5. Compose in Print Layout
Include:
Title, legend, north arrow, scale bar, and metadata.
Optional: inset map or chart summarising the data.
6. Short Textual Account (maximum 500 words)
Explain:
What has been mapped.
How the data were derived or computed.
Why the chosen visualisation method and classification scheme were used.
What insights or patterns the map reveals.
Guidance for Higher Marks
Every design choice should support the stated purpose.
The statistical map should demonstrate meaningful data processing.
Written explanations should be concise, clear, and professional.
Include metadata and data source citations.
Use a consistent projection and scale throughout.
Export the final maps as high-resolution PDFs for submission.