Overview
The Applied Population Laboratory (APL) is a leader in the fields of GIS, mapping, and spatial analysis. Specifically, we provide geocoding, professional mapping, spatial data analysis, spatial statistical support, web-based mapping, and geo-referenced database construction and management services to clients. If you are interested in learning more about any of these services or how we can customize a project to meet your needs, please contact Bill Buckingham or Dave Long. To learn more about our general approach, expertise, and work in our Spatial Information area of expertise click here.
Geocoding
Geocoding means assigning data to a geographic location. Most often, geocoding projects involve mapping data to street addresses. Using geocoding software and an associated road network database, we can assign the addresses to a specific latitude and longitude. The address data can, in turn, be plotted on a map for display or further analysis. For instance, geocoding is very helpful for analyzing distances between places or learning about the social and demographic characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood of data points. Geocoding is becoming an increasingly important part of survey research, in particular. APL supplies the geocoding service for the nationally renowned Wisconsin Longitudinal Study.
Professional Mapping
The APL provides professional cartography services for print publication, posters, or online presentation. Click here to view examples of recent maps in our map gallery.
Spatial Data Analysis
Spatial data analysis involves looking at relationships within or between spatially arrayed data sets. For example, APL staff have used spatial data and GIS tools to estimate the number of potential visitors who live within a one-hour drive of potential outdoor recreation sites (Prioritizing Places), and to examine the relationship between natural amenities and recent population trends in nearby communities (Rural Destinations and their Uneven Development).
Spatial Statistical Support
APL provides training, consultation, and other research support related to spatial statistical methods and software applications. APL conducts a portion of this work under contract with the UW Center for Demography and Ecology (CDE). APL directs the Geographic Information Analysis Core services for CDE faculty members, students, and affiliates. APL’s work in spatial statistical analysis is best illustrated by staff’s ongoing research on county level predictors of child poverty (See Voss et al. 2006).
Web-based Mapping
APL has designed and continues to support several web mapping services. These websites allow users to produce and navigate maps using a standard web browser interface. Web mapping is an increasingly important part of recent efforts to democratize data and make it more readily accessible to users. The Madison Neighborhood Indicators Project and APL’s GetFacts site are distinct types of web mapping applications, each tailored to specific user needs. If you would like to discuss the possibility of APL designing a mapping website for your organization, please contact James Beaudoin.
Geo-referenced Database Construction and Management
Geographic information systems (GIS) are efficient tools for bringing together databases that include geographically referenced data. APL uses a variety of GIS functions and spatial modeling techniques to construct customized datasets that include contextual data for researchers’ locations of interest. Examples of APL work in this area include adding land use and climate information to census records at the county level, calculating proximity between colleges and their applicants’ home address, and building digital boundary files for Puerto Rico’s municipios. Using a combination of geocoding tools and census data, APL provided Professor Dennis Fryback’s National Health Measurement study with rich contextual data related to study respondents, based on socioeconomic characteristics of participants’ census tract.