American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Solving problems examining trends and patterns in GIS is performed by?

1. I. Using a query function

2. II. The vector function

3. III. Layering

4. IV. Geo-coding data

The correct answer is: IV. Geo-coding data

The correct answer focuses on the role of geo-coding data in analyzing trends and patterns within Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Geo-coding involves converting addresses or place names into geographic coordinates, which allows for spatial analysis. This process facilitates the identification of trends, as it enables users to visualize data in relation to geographic locations on a map. By assigning geographic coordinates to data points, you can overlay various datasets, making it possible to observe how different factors correlate with specific locations and uncover underlying patterns. The other methods listed, while useful in their own right, do not specifically center on the analysis of trends and patterns in a spatial context as effectively as geo-coding does. Queries can filter data but may not inherently reveal spatial relationships unless paired with geographic coordinates. The vector function relates to the representation of geographic features but is less about the analytical aspect. Layering is a valuable technique for displaying multiple data sets simultaneously but does not inherently involve the conversion of data into a spatial format necessary for trend analysis in the context of geographic locations.