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Data Acquisition and Management�Unit 8 – Introduction to Data Collection Workflow and ArcGIS Collector� � �

Empowering Colleges:

Growing the Workforce

Based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants DUE 1304591, DUE 164409, DUE 1700496, DUE 1937177, Due 1938717 DUE 1937237, 2030206 and 2015927. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Author: Wing Cheung

Title: Professor, Palomar College

Assistant Director, GeoTech Center

Email: wcheung@palomar.edu

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Source: Esri

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BASIC WEB MAPPING TERMINOLOGY

UNDERSTANDING THE TECHNOLOGY THAT DRIVES ARCGIS COLLECTOR

Source: (Burescu et al., 2017)

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Feature service

  • Foundation of data collection layers
  • Serves feature layers and tables over internet
  • Hosted vs. traditional service

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Feature layer

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A data collection map must contain an editable feature layer powered/served by a feature service

Source: Esri

Feature service

Feature layers

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Map tile service and vector tile service

  • Map tile: cached images of the map that cannot be changed or edited
  • Vector tile: cached images of generalized vector features with symbology options, but no editing capabilities

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Source: Esri

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Combining tile service with feature service to minimize data size and optimize data collection experience

Source: Esri

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Combining tile service with feature service to minimize data size and optimize data collection experience

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DATA COLLECTION WORKFLOW

PLANNING FOR DATA COLLECTION IN THE FIELD

Source: Esri

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Data collection workflow overview

I. Identity data to be collected

II. Create an empty feature class

III. Publish as feature service with editable layers

IV. Create a web map for data collection

V. Collect data

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I. Identify data to be collected

  • What needs to be mapped?
    • Feature geometry (Point, Lines, Polygons)
    • Attribute data
      • Characteristics (Species, height, etc.)
      • Data/Field type (text, integer) (qualitative, quantitative)
      • What entry method (manual, dropdown)

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Source: Softonics

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I. Identify data to be collected

  • Attribute data considerations
    • Purpose
    • Analysis
    • Time/Resource
    • Consistency

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

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I. Identify data to be collected

  • Conceptual logic model
    • Brainstorm what to collect in the field using attribute worksheet

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Source: Esri

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I. Identify data to be collected

  • Geodatabase physical model
    • Turn attribute worksheet into geodatabase
      • Field names (short, no spaces or special character, permanent)
      • Field length
      • Data type
      • Others

Source: Esri

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Attribute

Field name

Alias

Data type

Length

Allow null�(yes/no)

Default value�(if any)

Entry method

Domain name�(dropdown list)

Family

Family

Family Name

Text

50

No

 

Dropdown

Family_d

Botanical Name

Scientific

Scientific Name

Text

150

No

 

Dropdown

Sci_d

Common Name

Common

Common Name

Text

150

No

 

Dropdown

Common_d

IUCN

Status

IUCN Status

Text

50

No

 

Dropdown

Status_d

Origin

Origin

Place of Origin

Text

150

No

 

Dropdown

Origin_d

Cultivar

Cultivar

Cultivar

Text

50

Yes

 

Text entry

 

Accession

Accession

Accession

Text

50

Yes

 

Text entry

 

PhotoURL

Image

Image

Text

1000

Yes

 

Text entry

 

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Data collection workflow overview

I. Identity data to be collected

II. Create an empty feature class

III. Publish as feature service with editable layers

IV. Create a web map for data collection

V. Collect data

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II. Create an empty feature class

  • Symbology / Feature template
  • Subtypes
  • Attribute domains
    • Acceptable values
    • Attribute field data type must match domain data type
    • Organize coded values in domain
      • Alphabetize
      • Most common to least common
    • Revisions
    • Other/unknown

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Data collection workflow overview

I. Identity data to be collected

II. Create an empty feature class

III. Publish as feature service with editable layers

IV. Create a web map for data collection

V. Collect data

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III. Publish feature class as an editable layer in feature service

  • Publish only needed feature class(es) or objects
  • Settings and properties sent from ArcGIS Desktop to ArcGIS Online (subtypes, symbology, capabilities)
  • Configure in ArcGIS Desktop vs. ArcGIS Online

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Source: Esri

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III. Publish feature class as an editable layer in feature service

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III. Publish feature class as an editable layer in feature service

  • Key settings:
    • Editing: Add, delete, and/or modify (update)
    • Sync: Offline editing (replication)
    • Editor tracking: Track and/or limit edits and updates
    • Enable attachments
  • Tips:
    • Errors vs. warnings
    • Cannot publish basemaps
    • Feature service name must be unique in the organization

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Data collection workflow overview

I. Identity data to be collected

II. Create an empty feature class

III. Publish as feature service with editable layers

IV. Create a web map for data collection

V. Collect data

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IV. Create web map for data collection

  • Add feature layer to webmap
  • Edit via:
    • Webmap
    • ArcGIS Collector or other field apps

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Source: Esri

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IV. Create web map for data collection

  • Sharing permission
    • Must share feature layer and webmap
    • Public, organization, group
  • Share link or automatic

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Data collection workflow overview

I. Identity data to be collected

II. Create an empty feature class

III. Publish as feature service with editable layers

IV. Create a web map for data collection

V. Collect data

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V. Collect data with ArcGIS Collector

  • Collect data via manual edits or GPS
  • Online ArcGIS Collector workflow:
    1. Confirm editing is enabled for web layer(s)
    2. Share web map and layer(s) with a group
    3. Install/update ArcGIS Collector on mobile device
    4. Open Collector on mobile device and sign in
    5. (optional) Pair with external GPS receiver or change collection settings
    6. Open web map in Collector
    7. Collect data, attachments, and enter attributes

Source: Bad Elf

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V. Collect data with ArcGIS Collector

Source: Esri

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V. Collect data with ArcGIS Collector

  • Offline ArcGIS Collector workflow:
    1. Confirm editing is enabled for web layer(s)
    2. Share web map and layer(s) with a group
    3. Install/update ArcGIS Collection on mobile device
    4. Open Collector on mobile device and sign in
    5. (optional) Pair with external GPS receiver or change collection settings
    6. Download map and layers to mobile device, open web map in Collector
    7. Collect data, attachments, and enter attributes, sync changes when network is available

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V. Collect data with ArcGIS Collector

Source: Esri

I. Identity data to be collected

II. Create an empty feature class

III. Publish as feature service with editable layers

IV. Create a web map for data collection

V. Collect data

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See GeoTech Center website (https://geotechcenter.org) �for additional Model Courses and other curriculum resources. �This Model Course Is Licensed Under Creative Commons CC BY-SA ����� By: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ��Note: some content is a derivative of other CC authors���

Author: Wing Cheung

Title: Professor, Palomar College

Assistant Director, GeoTech Center

Email: wcheung@palomar.edu

​