GIS: Mapping Kent County

One of our talented employees, Nathan Mosurinjohn, comments on the GIS niche he specializes in at the CSR:

“GIS is short for Geographic Information Systems, which is used to both analyze spatial data and to create maps. The GIS program we use at the CSR is fully customizable, so the possibilities for its use are endless. Some examples of ways this technology can be used include anything from site selection for business branches to hydrological studies to 3D fly-throughs of mountain ranges.

One of the main ways we are using GIS this summer is to coordinate our canvassing efforts for the Kent County Congregations Study. In addition to making an atlas of maps that the canvassers use for navigating, we have used GIS to estimate the time it will take to canvass each area and the amount of milage each area contains. We have also created a randomized set of points throughout the county to measure some of the general social and physical characteristics of the areas we are canvassing.

Once a team returns from a canvassing trip with their collected data, we use GIS to analyze what we have learned. With this technology we can chart where congregations are moving, where new congregations are forming, and where they are shutting down. We can also begin to see what the location of congregations means; for example, demographic changes in the city may be reflected in church movement and attendance. Movement of congregations can also affect how well services for young people are distributed among at-risk youth, a topic that our corresponding Youth Services Landscape Survey explores in more depth.

These are just a few of the ways that we are using GIS to aid in the implementation of our research endeavors, but as you can see, it is also a very transferable tool that can be used for a variety of purposes.”

Posted by Nikole Voss on Monday, August 24, 2009 at 12:49 PM
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CSR Student Research Assistants

As of June 2009, CSR welcomes two new research assistants, senior Kristin Booy and recent graduate Jeff Schiman. Our relatively new team continues to show its talent and potential in a wide variety of research specializations. To learn more about these positions, visit our employment opportunities page.

Kristin Booy
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Year at Calvin: 4th
Major: Psychology
Minors: French & Gender Studies
Favorite research software: Inquisite
 
Michael Evans-Totoe
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Year at Calvin: 3rd
Major: Information Technology & Accounting
Minor: Philosophy
Favorite research software: Access
 
Tyler Greenway
Hometown: Middleville, MI
Year at Calvin: 3rd
Major: Psychology
Favorite research software: Inquisite
 
Jeff Schiman
Hometown: St. Joe, MI
Year at Calvin: graduated
Major: Economics
Favorite research software: Stata
 
Leia Vos
Hometown: Elmhurst, IL
Year at Calvin: 4th
Major: Psychology
Minor: Communications
Favorite research software: Undecided
 
Posted by Kirsten Anderson on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 02:58 PM
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More about KCCS canvassing

KCCS is on Calvin’s home page today, thanks to Allison Graff—have a look.

Posted by Neil Carlson on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 08:25 AM
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Kent County Congregation Study—Part de deux!

Monday we sent our first official team of Research Assistants out into the world to canvas Kent County for old, new, and re-located congregations! Our student researchers are busily scouring the county as part of an extension of the Kent County Congregational Study. The Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation is sponsoring a continuation of the study to advance the understanding of religious congregations' role in the provision of social services, especially for youth and children. Researchers will be looking to confirm the presence of 720 congregations found in Kent County as of 2007. Data gathered from this census will allow us to monitor trends in the population of congregations and ensure that surveys and other studies are representative of the Kent county. Keep your eye out for our student researchers in your neighborhood!



Click "read more..." to read from the perspective of a canvasser...

READ MORE...

Posted by Christina Marie Vanden Bosch der Nederlanden on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 05:09 PM
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New CSR Technical Assistant

As of June 2009, CSR welcomes a new technical assistant who specializes in ArcGIS, an advanced computer mapping program! To learn more about technical assistant positions, visit our employment opportunities page.

Nathan Mosurinjohn
Hometown: Fort Atkinson, WI
Degree: B.A. in Geography and International Development
Favorite Research Software: ArcGIS

Stay tuned to see maps of Kent County!

Posted by Nikole Voss on Monday, June 01, 2009 at 02:28 PM
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