Which method allows for the integration of various data types in GIS?

The method that enables the integration of various data types in GIS is data layering. This process involves stacking different layers of data on top of each other in a GIS environment. Each layer can represent different types of information, such as roads, land use, elevation, vegetation, and more. By layering these datasets, a GIS allows for a comprehensive analysis and visualization of spatial relationships and patterns.

This approach is particularly powerful because it enables users to see how different data sources interact and affect one another, facilitating better decision-making and insight into geographic phenomena. Each layer can be independently analyzed while still contributing to an overall understanding of the spatial context.

The other methods mentioned have different applications: data encoding pertains to the way data is structured or formatted, data visualization focuses on the representation of data for interpretation, and data encryption deals with securing data rather than integrating it. Hence, these methods do not serve the same purpose as data layering in the context of integrating various data types in GIS.