GIS data that describes qualitative information rather than location is referred to as?

The concept of data in GIS can be broken down into two primary categories: spatial data and non-spatial data. Spatial data refers to the information concerning the specific locations and shapes of geographic features, often represented in the form of coordinates, maps, or graphs. It answers the "where" of geographic analysis.

Non-spatial data, on the other hand, represents qualities or attributes related to features without specifying their geographical positions. This type of data describes characteristics such as names, categories, descriptions, or numeric values that are not directly linked to a geographic location. For instance, a database of population statistics where each entry contains demographic information but does not specify where that population resides would be classified as non-spatial data.

In the context of GIS, it is crucial to distinguish between these types of data because spatial analysis relies heavily on location-based attributes, while non-spatial data provides the contextual information needed for analysis and decision-making. Therefore, the term non-spatial accurately describes data that conveys qualitative information rather than geographic coordinates or locations.