SimplyMap Basic Guide |
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Where to Access SimplyMap
SimplyMap is accessible anywhere you have an Internet connection. If you are connecting from off-campus, you will need to login to your account first before logging into SimplyMap. You can then connect to SimplyMap from the Business Electronic Resources (A to Z List) page. [Return to Top] Setting Up Your Account To use SimplyMap, you first need to set up a "Personal Workspace" account. To do this, navigate to SimplyMap and click on the "create personal workspace" button on the login page.
In the create workspace box, enter your e-mail address and click "Register." A confirmation e-mail will be sent to your e-mail address. Click on the activation link in the confirmation e-mail and your workspace will be activated and ready to use. To login, go back to the SimplyMap login page and enter your login information. [Return to Top] Creating Maps with Demographic/Marketing Data Selecting a Location To create a map showing demographic/marketing data for a specific location, first select a state from the drop-down menu. Then type the name of a city, county, or zip code. Click "Go" to update the map. To find a specific address, click on the "Locations" link or the links for "Census Tract" or "Block Group."
Selecting Data To select data for your map, click on the "Variables" link. A side tab will appear where you can select data on population and housing characteristics from the U.S. Census and spending patterns and habits from MRI Consumer Survey from various years. You can view data by Groups (topics) or All (sources).
Once you have selected all your data, click the "Add Selected Variables" button. Then close out the variables side tab by clicking on the red "X" in the upper-right hand corner. Click on the "Update" button to update the map based upon your chosen criteria. It will look similar to this:
[Return to Top] Mapping Points of Interest In SimplyMap, it is also possible to add points of interest to a map, such as restaurants, movie theaters, libraries, hospitals, and more. To add points of interest, click on the "Points" tab. The "Points" side tab will open where you can enter criteria for the points you want to map.
When you are finished entering criteria, click "Done" to return to the map. Beneath the variables section, you will see a check box next to a drop down menu with your named set of points. Click the check box to add these points to the map. You can return to the "Points" tab at any time and add more points. If your points do not appear, click "Update." You can also view a brief description of each point by clicking on it.
[Return to Top] Exporting Maps (to use in Word or PowerPoint) To export your map, click "Export" at the bottom of the "Map" tab and choose "Image." A preview window will open where you can configure and customize your map image by adding titles and placing the legend and titles anywhere on the map. At the bottom of the preview window, you can choose to export your map as a .pdf or .gif high resolution file (recommended). Once you have selected the format for your image, choose the radio option "Save to disk" or "E-mail" and click "Go" to export the image.
[Return to Top] Creating Reports To create custom reports using your mapped data, click on the "Reports" tab. Check the locations and variables in your list you would like added to your report. You can select as many locations and variables as you would like. Click "Update Report" to generate the custom report. To export a report, click "Export" and select Excel or Word format. You can then select to download or e-mail the report.
[Return to Top] Citing SimplyMap Here are some examples of how to cite the information you find in SimplyMap in APA Style: Geographic Research, Inc. (2008). MRI Consumer Survey Data 2006 Geographic Research, Inc. (2008). Census 2000 Data retrieved Geographic Research, Inc. (2008). Map retrieved November 17, 2008, [Return to Top] Page Coordinator: Kara Rawlins gustk@msu.edu This URL: http://guides.lib.msu.edu/page.phtml?page_id=2251 Last updated: 02-13-2009 |
