Geo Spatial Data Science for Global Studies
Just A Primer
Preface
The rapidly evolving landscape of global business and economics demands a deep understanding of the spatial dimensions that influence markets, trade, and policy. As we move further into the 21st century, the integration of geospatial data science into the analysis of international business, economics, political economy, and economic geography has become not just an advantage but a necessity. This book is designed to bridge the gap between traditional approaches in these fields and the innovative methodologies offered by geospatial data science.
This book serves as both a theoretical foundation and a practical guide for Master’s students in International Business, International Economics, International Political Economy, and Economic Geography. It aims to equip you with the tools and perspectives necessary to analyze complex global issues through the lens of geospatial data. Whether you are examining global supply chains, assessing the impact of trade policies, exploring the spatial dimensions of economic development, or understanding the geopolitical dynamics of international relations, geospatial data science offers a powerful framework for uncovering new insights and making informed decisions.
The content of this book has been meticulously curated to align with the interdisciplinary nature of your studies. It combines core concepts of geospatial analysis with real-world applications in international contexts. The chapters are structured to guide you through the entire research process, from formulating relevant and impactful research questions to designing and executing rigorous geospatial analyses. You will find that this book emphasizes not only the technical skills required to work with geospatial data but also the critical thinking needed to interpret results in a meaningful way.
Throughout this book, we will explore case studies and examples that highlight the practical implications of geospatial data science in international business and economics. These cases are drawn from a variety of sectors and regions, illustrating the diverse applications of geospatial analysis in understanding global challenges. By the end of this book, you should be well-prepared to apply geospatial data science in your future research and professional endeavors, contributing valuable insights to the fields of international business, economics, and political economy.
As you embark on this intellectual journey, I encourage you to approach the material with curiosity and an open mind. Geospatial data science is a dynamic and rapidly advancing field, and its integration into the study of international business and economics is still in its early stages. Your engagement with this material will not only deepen your understanding of the spatial dimensions of global issues but also position you at the forefront of an exciting and innovative area of research.
I hope this book will inspire you to think critically about the spatial aspects of the global economy and to explore the myriad ways in which geospatial data science can enhance our understanding of the complex world we live in.
Citing this book
The full reference is:
BibTeX:
@book{gsdsqr,
author = {Thierry Warin},
year = 2024,
title = {Geo Spatial Data Science with QGIS and R},
publisher = {Forthcoming},
address = {Forthcoming},
URL = {https://warin.ca/geospatial},
doi = {Your DOI (if available)}
}
Acknowledgements
I extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire open source spatial community, promoting the values of open science. We are particularly grateful to the developers of the R packages sf, sp, raster, stars, terra, mapview, tmap, leaflet, shiny, and many others, which have made this book possible. We also thank the developers of the bookdown package, which has been instrumental in the creation of this book.
A special thanks goes to my MSc students in International Business of the class of 2024, whose insights, enthusiasm, and questions during our sessions have greatly enriched this book. Your contributions, whether through discussion, feedback, or collaboration, have been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for your support.