Star plot map

http://personal.cscs.ch/~mvalle/Libro/immagini.html

The above map is called a star plot and is a somewhat unknown but very useful tool in the world of mapping because it is able to take a characteristic that has many variables in it and display them at the same time so that the various types and varieties within a larger subgroup can be seen. For example, this star plot map is talking about cars and offers information about a certain car in seven characteristics, including acceleration, the year it was made, the miles per gallon, horsepower, etc. Although the green area of the star extends all the way out to the tips of the star, the blue squares represent the actual data for this one car, but for each large subgroup, such as "automobiles" there could be a number of star plots for more specific groups, Honda, Saturn, etc. Star plots are one of the best visual tools because they easily show how things can be compared and contrasted, giving the map reader the option of putting the most value on the feature of the star plot that they believe is the most important.

Correlation matrix map

http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v19/n6/fig_tab/3800593f2.html

This map is an example of a correlation matrix map, which although similar to a similarity matrix, also is different because it deals more with the how two things are related in terms of function and process. The above map is really cool because it takes all the genes from one of the chromosomes in the human body and shows how each gene relates to another. This is important because it could help to find replacement genes or do more research on genes that are similar in function, in case one copy is damaged. These kinds of maps are helpful in general for relating two features and can help by making connections that might take a long time to map out and then compare, or even find at all.

Similarity matrix map

www.cse.iitb.ac.in/~prnv/html/html_sim/index.html

When people think of geography, one of the main ideas that come to mind is the use of maps as a way to go from one place to another, usually in which the destination is unknown. However, in this example of a similarity matrix, even though the idea of a fold out map doesn’t really relate, this map does take a spinoff of the general theme. In this specific map, a comparison was made between the not only the different books in the Bible, but also between different translations in the language by changing all of the letters and spaces to numbers. From the data above from an English translation, it can be seen that although there are some differences between different books, there is definitely a trend or pattern in the way that the books were written. Also, another map compares this one to an Italian version, which also shows strong internal correlations, as well as connections to the English version, giving the notion that at least they were written in a similar period and that there is authenticity through consistency.

Stem and leaf plot

illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L323

This map is an example of a stem and leaf plot and is in reference to data that was gathered in a paper airplane experiment for children. The map compiled all of the data and then split it up according to first number with the corresponding numbers on the other side of the line. This map is crucial in the study of maps because its a new way to represent simple raw data. By displaying information in this manner, it is easier to see the median and also to see the range and variance within the data set.

Box plot map

http://www.nature.com/jcbfm/journal/v28/n4/full/9600584a.html

The above example is a map called a histogram and this one shows data that has been taken on different patients and their levels of DVR, a certain response to a biological technique. Histograms are really meaningful because they provide two ways to look at data, helping to give a better understanding of any anomalies within the data, while at the same time not having to look at all of the individual facts. Above, the data shows that the normal level of DVR is 5 and then there are various combinations of components to achieve this level. This map is able to help the reader by showing the average, or mean, which is the boxed area, but also gives the full range by presenting some of the outliers, through the extended lines. This is great for this project because it gives the opportunity to see the average, or the general pattern of the data, while still showing any possible, more "interesting" results.

Histogram

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:UK_abortion_by_gestational_age_2004_histogram.svg

This histogram map is one that shows that maps can be more than just topographical maps of Canada or books about unknown places like the jungles of Brazil. Maps are able to bring people information, sometimes very important, but also very controversial. The above graph shows the statistics for abortions in the U.K. after varying numbers of weeks. Although this data might seem unimportant, or even not wanted, maps really help to visualize to people what raw data says. Here, it is much easier to get the sense of how early on women chose to do this treatment, and although it might be offensive for some women to understand, this map is able to put things into perspective for all parties involved.

Parallel coordinate graph

hcil.cs.umd.edu/trs/2001-22/2001-22.html

This is known as a parallel coordinate map which is a map in which several different sets of information are able to be graphed, in the same plane, on the same graph. Above is a great example of this exact kind of map because it is part of a paper whose goal is to try and convey that information should be made available to the masses, and one great way is the parallel coordinate graph, which compiles and displays a lot of information in one way. These graphs can be used in instances where there are several factors that affect the outcome or when many factors need to be taken into account to get the "big picture." For this specific map, the colored lines actually represent cars and the sections are all the factors that affect them when they're being operated.

Triangular plot map

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v444/n7118/full/nature05329.html

This map is a different kind of tool because it is one of the only maps that uses three characteristics or features when trying to present data. This map explains how certain individuals within a species are related to one another through common ancestry, which is done by the mapping of their genes. A triangular plot is very useful in this technique and any in which the main abject is kind of to break something down and really see its composition and out of what its made. With most maps, the goal is to explain the unknown to the reader and to help them form an image of the thing that they cannot visualize for themselves. Sometimes this is through inference and making predictions, which is true with triangular plots, but it is done by looking at the pieces of the information and trying to find the answers.

Windrose map

www.epa.gov/AMD/Library/AnnualReports/2003.html

This map is known as a windrose map and is commonly used to help represent the data that has been tracked about wind speed and direction. This map has its information recorded from a sit near the World Trade center only a few days after the accident happened, in order to try and learn as much as possible from that time. This map is really important because it helps us learn about specific conditions of a time and place and how they affected many of the events around it. Also, tracing the wind is very useful because it can tell us a lot about the other types of weather that are about to be formed and how that weather is going to react. If there is a lot of mixing of warm and cold air, it could potentially lead to a hurricane or other disaster and then it could be tracked by the direction in which the wind is blowing; both statistics possibly helping with improving weather forecasting.

Climograph map

maxpages.com/northamerica/Honolulu

Above is a map that is known as a climograph and, as implied by the name, deals a lot with the weather and climate of different places. This climograph is a representation of the weather in Hawaii over a years time but has two distinct parts, the average temperature and the average rainfall. As the map shows, in the mid-year months, the temperature is very low and the perception high, as opposed to other months when temperatures are relatively high and rainfall low. This information is important because it helps climatographers to keep track of the weather and, in some instances, compare them to years in which the weather is much different and to predict why these changes happen and how they will affect the future weather prediction.

Population profile map

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/06/22110457/05107

The above map is an example known as a population profile map and describes a lot about the population of Scotland, in terms of the make-up of both its ethnic groups and age categories. This map breaks down the entire population of the country and shows what are the most prevalent ages in each group and, because of it, helps the country to focus on the biggest groups for support and concern. A population profile map can be seen as a "harmful" tool because it really segregates people into simply an age and race, however, in terms of helping to know the demographics of a place, and making informed decisions based upon the best interests of your area, this kind of map is definitely a useful help. Without the aid of this kind of map it may be difficult for politicians of people of power to make decisions that would benefit the most amount of people.

Scatterplot map

www.cardio-inspect.com/results.shtml

This map is called a scatter plot and plots its information as specific points, or dots, on a graph. This map explains the differences of both the right and left ling function in patients with "normal" lungs and those with a condition known as CHF, or congestive heart failure. This map is very important because it was used by a drug company that is using the data to try and develop a drug that would help to offset the harmful effects of this disease. In this map, the information shows how that people with normal lungs have a much higher lung capacity for work than those with the CHF, therefore leading them to think that there might be some kind of correlation, possibly helping in the development and implementation of the drug. Many scatter plots are useful, in general, because they are able to show the trends in response to different conditions and stimuli.

Index value plot map

www.justdata.com.au/Journals/Articles/trin.htm

Although it might not seem like it, maps really do play an important and integral part in our everyday lives. Above is an example of an index value plot map and this specific map is a representation of the stock market and how it can fluctuate over days and months. The map is able to help chart the rises and falls through mapping something known as the Arms index, which basically is a way to known when the market is good and when it is doing pretty poor. The index value plot is important because it can show the trends over time and, in this example, could possible help to predict what investors should do with their money, potentially multiplying or greatly reducing their money.

Lorenz curve map

www.undp.org.ge/nhdr2000/chpt2.htm

Maps are very powerful tools because they can be manipulated to be both helpful and harmful to the interpreter, depending upon the information presented and how a particular person "sees" the map. A Lorenz curve map is a great tool because it is able to show actually numbers and figures, while at the same time still giving an actual "ideal curve" to what, under the perfect conditions, the circumstances should strive to be, either for better or worse. In the above Lorenz curve map, a percentage of households making a certain income s graphed over the years. From the data, it can be seen how although, as a country, we've improved over the past few years in trying to raise income among many households, there are still people that are living very poorly. This kind of map is really important when trying to convey ideas about raising or sub-par features because it really helps to make present the fact that there is room for improvement.

Unstandardized choropleth map

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/414717_2

Unstandardized choropleth maps show data that is basically raw numbers and hasn't really been compared to any other facts or figures and can sometimes be considered a little unreliable. For example, in this map, the images haven't been compared to any other data that has been gathered for the contagiousness of a disease in a land and can therefore be very skewed. If the ability of Lyme disease to spread in this particular area or spot are drastically high, then one might conclude from this data that the entire county or state as a whole, or the "bigger picture" follows this same trend. This can be deducted in the same way if a place had a low rate of being able to contain the spread of Lyme disease and possible eradicate it, then, because the likeness of the sample data is not compared to the whole, a false or partially false movement could be contrived.

Standardized choropleth map

www.jrsainfo.org/.../mapping/sample_maps.shtml

Information that we receive through maps can sometimes be very misleading because the context of the data and message have to be considered in its limitations. In the above map, which is an example of a standardized choropleth map, one important trend to know is that it has actually been aerally averaged, or in other words, it is a choropleth map, so it displays data that is grouped into intervals, but, averages the data in relation to other lands being surveyed. This is important in a map because it is able to show the trends, in this map, of the levels of crime, but is able to do so in relation to other areas, allowing the map to represent its trends in a more "uniform" sense.

Univariate choropleth map

www.colorado.edu/.../pub/nazi_pa/nazi_pa.htm

Although maps are used to help people explore and learn things about places that had been unknown to them before, another interesting way in which maps can be utilized is in a way to display not scientific information, but in a way that allows social science data to be exposed as well. In this map example, a univariate choropleth map is used to convey how the Nazi party, or the NSDAP, had a large power of persuasion and even believability about them and didn't simply "bully" people into their views. This choropleth map is important because it is able to take the percent of voters for the NSDAP and put them into ranges on a map so that the average person could see how much power the Nazi party actually had over Germany, due to the fact that there was a good amount of support for them.

Bivariate Choropleth Map

www.geocities.com/stevejford/new_page_2.htm

The above map example is one that is known as a bivariate choropleth map because it takes into account two different variables when it presents data in its range of averages. In this map, the actual choropleth map has data that is given about different countries in Africa and how these countries compare to each other in both life expectancy and gross national product. Bivariate choropleth maps are always really interesting due to the fact that they have two different data sets and variables, therefore they are able to help show relationships better. In this case, it helps to see how an increase in money in a country really does improve a persons life because although there are a good amount for black countries, high GNP and high life expectancy, there is only one country that has a very low GNP and still high life expectancy, most low GNP countries have the corresponding low life expectancy.

Unclassed Choropleth map

www.math.yorku.ca/SCS/Gallery/milestone/sec5.html

This image is a map of France and is called a unclassed choropleth map because although there is data that is able to be broken down and "ranked" in a sense, there are no clear boundary lines or groups, it is more of just a continuous scale that displays different, very small, changes within a specific category. This map type is always important because although the classed choropleth map can help but putting things into distinct categories and therefore helping to reduce some of the confusion if there were any small anomalies or whatnot, with the unclassed map, a more detailed look is able to be gained and the true range can be really seen and studied, with nothing which is "glossed" over.

Classed Choropleth Map

www.cse.psu.edu/~clowes/eport/project2.html

This map is an example of a classed choropleth map, which is a way of representing data so that it can be broken down into intervals and then portrayed through different colors and such. The above map is a map of the percent of the areas under 5 years of age, divided into 5 groups that range from 5.8-7.1, the darkest green, all the way down to 0-1.4, almost white. In the map above, although it only really shows, in majority the top two intervals, there are a few areas in the third category, but the main importance in this map is that there are intervals that are able to break down data and present it in a manner that helps to make the boundaries of interpreting it easier.

Continuously variable proportional circle map

http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=kt4j49n6r5&brand=calisphere&doc.view=entire_text

The above map is an example of a continuously variable proportional circle map because it is able to convey data about an area, but does with the use of varying circles that relate to the relative occurrence. In this exact map, the map represents data that has been gathered from different amounts of plankton throughout an area in California. This map is really helpful for many reasons, one of which being the fact that because there are no ranges, it is easier to see more of the "exact" amount of a certain factor in different parts of one subject. This trend is very helpful if one is trying to see more of a pattern or to track the specific changes within a characteristic and therefore see the "little" details and how it can affect the overall outcome.

Range graded proportional circle map

www.gein.noa.gr/services/kith.html

This map displays data that is gathered about earthquakes and there occurrences off the shores of Greece. The data is displayed on a map that is known as a range graded map because there are only four types, or in this case magnitudes, of earthquakes, that are being recognized. This map can be seen as important because it is able to lay a "concrete" visual system for how to classify many events in one area. Although there might be many variations in magnitudes, some varying only on a very small scale, in this type of map, the proportional circles are only allowed to classified into one of four categories, cutting down on the confusion and "guessing" that could go into classifying the earthquakes. This is important because it makes this type of map a little more "universal," simply to the extent that people could agree on a 6 or 7 magnitude earthquake as catastrophic. If there were not such defined categories, perhaps a 6.3 in an area with many earthquakes would not be in the worst range, however, in a place where there are only a few, it would.

DOQQ map

www.obviously.com/berkeley/bowl.html

This is a map that is called a DOQQ map, or a digital orthographic quarter-quad map, and this map is interesting because it is a combination of an aerial photograph of Berkeley University, however, because it is a DOQQ, it has been referenced to the actual positions of the buildings and such in the actual place and is therefore, more easily to be referenced. With most aerial photos, there is able to be a large scale taken, but sometimes images and places are distorted and are not really able to be very suitable for reference use. In this DOQQ of Berkeley, students and other people are able to see a more accurate view of their surroundings, yet they get the advantages of an aerial view.

DEM map

www.spri.cam.ac.uk/.../projects/glaciergeometry/

This is a map of a glacier in the Antarctic region that was constructed using a mapping technique that produces a map called the digital elevation model. These maps are interesting because they show the elevation of different surfaces and are great at capturing large surface changes in topography, such as mountains and craters, but also smaller changes as well. Researches used photos of this same glacier throughout a few years to track the changes in its elevation and how much this particular glacier, and probably many in general, are changing the sea levels.

DLG map

www.versamap.com/webdoc08.htm

This map is called a digital line graph, or DLG, and although, as the name implies, this map may have some graph characteristics, this image is definitely a map. DLG's are important because they are able to show boundaries and block off certain areas using a technique that incorporates points, lines, and regions. The above DLG is a map of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and parts of other states and shows things such as coastlines, county lines, and state lines. The map is also able to explain how the land is broken down into smaller and smaller "pieces" that are able help people see the non-geographical boundaries.

Isopach map

www.kaitimedical.com/default.aspx?ID=5

Above is an example of an isopach map because it shows the different heights of ash that lie above the ground as a result of a volcanic eruption that occurred in New Zealand in 1985. This map is similar to some of the other maps that have been seen because it uses the technique of connecting similar rock or, in this case, ash levels that are on the ground. The trend in this map is obviously showing how the ash was the highest very close to the volcano and then slowly reduced in height, however, something important to note from this isopach map is that the ash only piled up on one side. With this information, and others like it, scientists may be able to make more accurate predictions on areas to evacuate in eruptions, as well as making better estimates on where certain materials may be located in current rocks.

Cartographic animation

www.ccas.ru/tarko/co2_e.htm

This map is one of the most interesting maps that I've been able to find because it takes the idea of a basic map and changes the idea a little bit, uses the technology of today, and makes something that is extremely useful and easy to understand. This map is known as a cartographic animation map and is basically a map that is able to display data that has been gathered over periods of time, however, instead of showing the average of range or even data from just specific point in time, these maps are able to show the continuous data over the entire interval. The above map was used in a study of plant production and biomass in different parts of the world and how that relates to different levels of chemicals and elements near these places. Due to the fact that all of the images are put together in an animation form, it helps to better display the trends across the globe and give more of a bigger perspective on things.