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.”
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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 |
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| Michael Evans-Totoe Hometown: Accra, Ghana Year at Calvin: 3rd Major: Information Technology & Accounting Minor: Philosophy Favorite research software: Access |
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| Tyler Greenway Hometown: Middleville, MI Year at Calvin: 3rd Major: Psychology Favorite research software: Inquisite |
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| Jeff Schiman Hometown: St. Joe, MI Year at Calvin: graduated Major: Economics Favorite research software: Stata |
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| Leia Vos Hometown: Elmhurst, IL Year at Calvin: 4th Major: Psychology Minor: Communications Favorite research software: Undecided |
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More about KCCS canvassing
KCCS is on Calvin’s home page today, thanks to Allison Graff—have a look.
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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...
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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.
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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!
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