What is secondary GIS data?

Secondary GIS data refers to information that has been collected or created by someone other than the user or researcher. This type of data typically comes from existing datasets, publications, government authorities, or other organizations that have gathered the information for various purposes. Users of GIS can utilize secondary data to enhance their own projects, benefiting from previously compiled and analyzed geographic information.

This option is correct because secondary data can drastically reduce the time and resources needed to acquire data. Instead of starting from scratch, GIS professionals can leverage existing datasets that may offer valuable insights for their specific studies or applications. Examples of secondary data sources include satellite imagery, demographic statistics, and previously conducted surveys, all of which can be incorporated into GIS analyses.

The other choices describe other forms of data or considerations that do not define secondary GIS data. For instance, firsthand data collection, which is mentioned as the first option, pertains to primary data rather than secondary. The notion that secondary data cannot be used for GIS projects is inaccurate, as secondary data plays a vital role in many GIS applications. Lastly, stating that secondary data is only available in physical format is misleading; in the digital era, a significant amount of secondary data is readily accessible online.