Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Development Studies

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SPECIAL HONOURS DEGREE IN MONITORING AND EVALUATION

FULL NAME & REG NO:

MODULE: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN M & E

MODULE CODE: HSME 1215

YEAR: 2022, YEAR 1 SEMESTER 2

LECTURER: MR. P. CHIWARA

One of the key strengths of a GIS is its ability to integrate data from a variety of
sources (interoperability). Elaborate on some of the key data sources that one
may consider when establishing a GIS database for M&E projects and
programs.

With the ever changing nature of projects and information needs, it has become apparent that
most developmental projects are now merging their work with the field of Geographic
Information Systems (GIS). In the past, GIS has been mainly used for tracking significant
land features all over the world for mere directional duties, so that people could know how to
navigate within their communities and around the world, and what type of features to expect.
However, many disciplines are coming to recognize the significance of GIS in their day to
day operations, and hence it is with this in mind that the discussant shall go on to elaborate on
some of the key sources of data needed when one needs to establish a GIS database that is
biased towards Monitoring and Evaluation projects and programs.

Firstly, it would be prudent to give a working definition of the concept of GIS. According to
Ali (2020), a Geographic Information System (GIS) is a collection of computer software,
hardware, and data, as well as humans, that enable users to enter, manipulate, analyze, and
present data and information associated with a specific location on the earth's surface. This
system consists of Software, Hardware, Data, and Personnel that allow users to enter,
manipulate, analyze, and present data associated with a specific location on the earth's
surface. Ali states that, whilst this is the general definition of GIS, there are other definitions
that exist, each originating from a unique perspective or disciplinary background. Some
people emphasize the map link, while others emphasize the database or software tool kit, and
yet others emphasize applications like decision assistance. A GIS can be defined by
describing what it can accomplish (Functions) or by simply examining its components.

Another concept worth defining is that of Monitoring and Evaluation. Monitoring is a

continuous role that tries to provide early indications of success, or lack thereof, in the
accomplishment of results to the management and key stakeholders of an ongoing
intervention. A project, program, or other type of continuing intervention could be used to
assist a result. Evaluation on the other hand is a selection process that aims to analyze
progress toward and achievement of a goal in a methodical and objective manner. Evaluation
is not a one-time event, but rather a series of assessments with varying scope and depth
carried out over time in response to changing needs for evaluative knowledge and learning
while working toward a goal.

Data, often known as GIS fuel, is the most significant and costly component of the
Geographic Information System. GIS data is a mix of graphic and tabular information. GIS
data can be derived from a variety of sources. One major source of data that is used in the
Database Management System (DBMS) is spatial data. Spatial data, often known as
geospatial data, refers to any data that is related to or contains information about a specific
location on Earth's surface. One thing to note is that under spatial data is that it comes in a
variety of formats and includes more than just geographic information. There are a few
important concepts that can help one become more fluent in the language of spatial data and
help them understand and learn more about it.

Vector - Vector data can be thought of as graphical representations of reality. Points, lines,
and polygons are the three main forms of vector data. Lines are formed by joining points,
while polygons are formed by connecting lines that form an enclosed space. The best way to
present generalizations of objects or features on the Earth's surface is to utilize vectors.

Rasta - Raster data is information shown as a grid of pixels. Each pixel in a raster contains a
value that communicates information about the piece in question, whether it's a colour or a
unit of measurement. Raster’s usually refer to visuals. However, in the spatial realm, ortho-
imagery refers to photographs obtained by satellites or other aerial devices. The quality of
raster data varies depending on the resolution and the task at hand.

Attributes - More information is contained in spatial data than just a position on the Earth's
surface. An attribute is any supplementary information, such as non-spatial data, that
describes a feature. The information regarding the location can be accompanied by any
number of additional qualities. One might, for example, have a map that shows buildings in a
city's downtown area. Aside from the location, each building may have additional
characteristics such as the type of use (housing, business, government, etc.), the year it was
built, and the number of stories it has.

Geographic Coordinate System - A geographic coordinate system is used to pinpoint

precise locations on the Earth's surface. In most mathematical systems, an x and y-axis are
utilized, but in geography, the axes are known as lines of latitude (horizontal lines that go
east-west) and longitude (vertical lines that run north-south). The units are measured in
degrees (°) because each axis represents the angle at which that line is orientated with regard
to the Earth's centre.

Georeferencing and Geocoding – According to Jardine (2003), geo-referencing and

geocoding are two independent but related techniques that both entail fitting data to real-
world locations. The technique of providing coordinates to vectors or rasters so that they can
be positioned precisely on a representation of the Earth's surface is known as georeferencing.
Addresses and location descriptors are used in geocoding (city, country, etc.). Each of these
sites is provided the exact reference coordinates for that point on the Earth's surface.

Having explained the different types of data that exist within the realm of what is termed
‘spatial data’, it should be known that there are numerous data sources. Such examples
include topographical maps, aerial photography, satellite images, ground survey data, widely
available reports, and government or research publications can all be used (Sarfo; 2020).
Without deviating from the main idea behind the discussion, it is imperative to explain that
this type of data is important for M n E projects in the sense that implementing organization
get a clearer depiction of the situation within the community that they want to do a project in,
or to see the progress they would have made in pictorial form rather than in word form. In
most recent times, NGOs have been accused of abusing funds for personal use, whilst they
ask for money from donors in the name of alleviating poverty, and increasing food security
levels, or whatever noble cause that donors are willing to pump out money for. Hence,
through the use of GIS, it is easy to show actual progress on the ground rather than being
given feedback without any tangible evidence. Hence, the above sources are critical in the
GIS database for M n E projects.
One particular M n E project that the world has been grappling with over the past few years is
related to the COVID pandemic. Governments have been making use of various technologies
to combat the spread of the virus. One such technology could be given the status of a source
of data for a GIS database for M n E projects: remote sensing and the popular Global
Positioning System. This technology would definitely be needed in any GIS database system
so as to get a clearer view of the situation on the ground.

Development projects and programs are those that are usually centred around the following
thematic areas: poverty; food security; climate change; child labour; gender equality; and so
many other areas. While there are many private sector companies that specialize in supplying
digital data, provincial and government institutions are excellent sources of information.
Government departments are frequently the only bodies with the financial resources and
labour financing to spend in data compilation because of the high expenses connected with
data collecting and input. With this in mind, it is clear that one key source of data that would
be useful in the setting up of a GIS database would be survey reports and evaluation reports
such as those carried out by CENSUS, or by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency
(ZIMSTATS), or by Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC). These
agencies, when combined, do not merely give reports on the population of a given area, but
everything concerned with or taking place in that specific geographic location.

Therefore, in summation, GIS has become a major force when it comes to giving ideas a
pictorial view rather than being explained through words alone. In line with M n E projects, it
is evident that a GIS database would need a variety of sources in a bid to come up with a
complete pictorial view of the past, present and possible future of the places where
development organizations want to make a change. As shown in the discussion above, some
of the sources are clearly related to GIS such as spatial data; on the other hand, some other
key sources are linked to reports by government agencies on the humanitarian situation that
wold be existing at a particular point in time. All the same, a fusion of all these data sources
eventually bring a wholesome pictorial view that is easy to explain to donors and other
relevant authorities.
REFERENCES

Ali, E., (2020). Geographic Information System (GIS): Definition, Development,

Applications & Components. Department of Geography, Ananda Chandra College. India.

Franch-Pardo, I., Napoletano, B.M., Rosete-Verges, F. and Billa, L., (2020). Spatial analysis
and GIS in the study of COVID-19. A review. Science of the total environment, 739,
p.140033.

Jardine, D.D. and Teodorescu, D., (2003). An Introduction to GIS: Concepts, Tools, Data
Sources, and Types of Analysis. New Directions for Institutional Research, 120, pp.5-13.

Sarfo, A.K. and Karuppannan, S., (2020). Application of geospatial technologies in the
COVID-19 fight of Ghana. Transactions of the Indian National Academy of
Engineering, 5(2), pp.193-204.