# ΒΆ Starting a Mapping Project ### What Does is Mapping Project look like? Mapping projects can be of all shapes and sizes, from the creation of **a traditional figure** with an explanatory legend and caption, such as might appear in an academic text, to an **online interactive tool** that allows for the searching or filtering of thousands of pieces of spatial data or hundreds of historical maps. They can combine different types of [**vector data**](https://docs.qgis.org/2.8/en/docs/gentle_gis_introduction/vector_data.html) representing real world features (e.g., points, lines, or polygons which can contain both spatial data and other qualitative or quantitative information) with [**raster** ](https://docs.qgis.org/2.8/en/docs/gentle_gis_introduction/raster_data.html)(e.g., satellite imagery, elevation data, vegetation data, or a historical map). Visualization, analysis, and storytelling are three of the most common goals for any mapping project, and they may be intertwined. **Visualization** focuses on the presentation of a collection of data, either through straightforward stylistic choices or through the ability to allow the user to filter datasets in some way. [**Spatial analysis**](https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/product/analytics/how-to-perform-spatial-analysis/) is a process in which you model problems geographically, derive results by computer processing, and then explore and examine those results. **Storytelling** then combines the two, allowing the creator to present a cohesive narrative to their reader which is intrinsically tied to the data being presented at a particular moment. ### Boston College Libraries Digital Scholarship Services BC Libraries' [Digital Scholarship Group](https://ds.bc.edu/) facilitates, supports, and consults on mapping projects, as well as designs and provides mapping related in-class instruction and [workshops](https://libguides.bc.edu/c.php?g=977606\&p=7108720). BC's [Research Services](https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/offices/its/services/research-services.html) also provides support as well as [licenses](https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/offices/its/services/research-services/software.html) for platforms like ArcGIS. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://bcds.gitbook.io/handbook/digital-scholarship-methods/introduction-to-mapping/starting-a-mapping-project.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.