9 ADVANTAGES OF DOT MAPS

 what is dot map?

Dot maps or dot distribution map (also known as dot density map) is a map type that uses a dot symbol to show the presence of a feature or phenomenon.

9 ADVANTAGES OF DOT MAPS

Dot maps rely on a visual scatter to show spatial patterns.

in other words, A dot map is a statistical map that uses dots of fixed size to represent a fixed number of units in a particular area.

They employ a base map of a concerned area and a dot is drawn exactly on the appropriate location on the map.

they are useful in representing statistical data like population, plants in the forest, and so on

population density maps are often dotted maps

all dot maps must be drawn on an equal-area map projection. this is critical because using map projection which does not preserve the size of the area will distort the perceived density of the dots

types of dot maps

one to one dot maps where one dot represents one object or count

one to many dot maps in which one dot stands for number of things or a value (for example 1 dot represent 10000 acres of wheat production

The following are procedures used to construct dot maps:

  • Obtain the base map of the area you want to represent and divide it into required sub regions.
  • Obtain and tabulate the data you want to represent corresponding with sub regions in the base map.
  • Make a scale and estimate how many items will be represented by one dot.
  • Compute the number of dots to represent total items in each regions by using the scale
  • Insert dots in particular sub regions depending on the total items to be represented as computed earlier
  •  Label and give appropriate title to your map.

The following are advantages of dot maps:

  • If well constructed it shows the distribution and comparative densities

  • It is easier to show variation in the distribution of a wide variety of commodities if it is presented using different colors.

  • Dot maps are used to represent a wide range of items like population, the value of minerals, crops, and so forth

  • dot maps are easy to read even to layman

  • by counting the symbols it is possible to determine the original data

  • They are very easy to construct compared to proportional circles

  • It is very easy to compare the distribution of items considering the concentration of dots.

  • the dots can be converted into choropleth or isopleth but these maps can not be transfered into dot maps

  • more than one element can be shown on single map by using multiple dot map method

  • this is the best method for showing the absolute figures

  • dot maps work fine in black and white, when colour is not an option

  • your data need not be tied to enumeration units and hence some of the concern inherent in the choropleth maps can be side stepped with dot maps.

uses of dot maps

dot maps are used to visualize distribution and densities of a big number of discrete distributed single objects by using dots which represent a constant number of objects

quantitative symbols of fixed size

the most simple dot maps uses a point symbol for a defined number of identical objects. the difficulty is to find an appropriate shape and size for the symbol as well as the value of it.

quantitative symbol of variable size

quantitative symbol of variable size can be used if the map depict an area where the object density is heterogenous and where it is difficult to find an appropriate symbol of fixed size. therefore different sizes of the symbol can be assigned to different values

example of data set appropriate for dot maps

  • the distribution of car dealership in belgium (1 dot=1 dealership)

  • earthquake epicentre across pacific for the last 10 years I1 dot = 1 epicentre)

  • number of people by country (1 dot = 100000 people)

things to keep in mind when making dot maps

  • include the legend that shows how many units of data are represented with each dot

  • use the same size dots and ensure the size of each dot is appropriate for the scale and the size of the map

  • ensure that colours are distinguishable

  • use an albers equal area projection when making dot maps


7 DISADVANTAGES OF DOT MAPS

The following are advantages of dot maps:

  • If well constructed it shows distribution and comparative densities

  • It is easier to show variation in distribution of wide variety of commodities if it is presented using different colours.

  • Dot maps are used to represent wide range of items like population, value of minerals, crops and so forth

  • They are very easy to construct compared to proportional circles

  • It is very easy to compare the distribution of items considering the concentration of dots.

  • It is easy to interpret by counting the number of dots multiplied by the dot value to get the total value of the given area



The following are disadvantages of dot maps

  • It is time consuming especially when marking dots on maps

  • When the scale is small many dots are drawn which cause overcrowding and present difficult in counting them to get the actual value

  • In case even distribution of dots is displayed on the map, false impression that the distribution is the same in represented area is perceived. This perception may be false

  • Locating dots on map is to the certain extent a personal and subjective decision and two dot maps done by two people using the same data will rarely be identical

  • Construction of dot maps involves tedious calculation especially when determining number of dots

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