Topic 1.6

Essential Knowledge 

Patterns and processes at different scales reveal variations in and different interpretations of data 
 

Scales of analysis include global, regional, national, and local  

Concept	Definition	Key Question	Examples	Why It Matters
Scale	The relationship between the distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground; can also describe the scope or extent of a geographic study.	How much of the Earth’s surface is being represented or studied?	A map with a scale of 1:100,000 means 1 unit on the map equals 100,000 units on the ground; a global map showing continents vs. a city map showing streets.	Determines the amount of detail and the extent of the area shown on a map or in a study.
Scale of Analysis	The level at which data is grouped and examined; the geographic unit of analysis (local, regional, national, global).	At what geographic level is the data being analyzed?	Analyzing income inequality at the national level vs. neighborhood level; studying climate change impacts globally vs. within a single city.	Different scales of analysis can reveal different patterns, relationships, and conclusions.

Contextualization

In this video Mr. Sinn will explain Scales of Analysis, and the ways that it is different from regular “scale.” 

In Practice:

Essential Question 

Explain what scales of analysis reveal.  

Conceptual Analysis:  

1. Create a list of the different labels for scale, and the different labels for scale of analysis (you can look it up or list what Mr. Sinn says) 
2. What is the difference between a small scale and large scale map?  
3. What is the difference between noting the scale of a map and the scale of analysis of a map?  

Vocab Review

Provide a shorthand working definition for each of the following terms. This means it needs to be in YOUR OWN WORDS. 

• Spatial Scale 

MCQ Practice:  

(You only need to write the letter for the answer you select). 

Q1. A geographer analyzing economic trade patterns between continents is working at which scale? 
A. Local 
B. Regional 
C. National 
D. Global 
 

Q2. Which of the following scenarios demonstrates the importance of scale in interpreting geographic data? 
A. A country’s average income may appear high at the national scale but reveal high inequality at the local scale 
B. A map of climate zones showing only major regions 
C. The use of GPS to measure exact coordinates 
D. A census report listing the national population total

Q3. Comparing rainfall patterns across several states in the U.S. Midwest uses which scale of analysis? 
A. Local 
B. Regional 
C. Global 
D. National