This guide is brought to you by the Geospatial Research Lab at American University. The Geospatial Research Lab is located in Bender B53, on the lower level of the Bender Library. Contact geospatial@american.edu or book an appointment for questions regarding data acquisition, GIS software, geospatial research, or miscellaneous geospatial support services.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are powerful tools that allow users to capture, store, analyze, and visualize spatial and geographic data. GIS integrates various types of data—ranging from maps and satellite imagery to tables and text—into a cohesive framework that can be used to answer complex questions about the world around us. Whether it's mapping the spread of a disease, analyzing the impact of urban development, or simply visualizing demographic trends, GIS provides the spatial context needed to understand and interpret patterns and relationships in data. In academic settings, GIS is not just a tool for geographers; it is increasingly being used across disciplines, including environmental science, sociology, urban planning, and public health, to explore spatial dimensions of research questions and to communicate findings through interactive maps and data visualizations.
By using GIS, students and researchers can gain insights that are often obscured in traditional data analysis. The ability to visualize data geographically can reveal trends and patterns that might not be apparent otherwise, making GIS an essential component of modern data analysis and decision-making.
An Atlas of Radical Cartography by 
Experimental Geography by