Resources

Find. Explore. Use.

IdeaLab Research brings together useful tools, datasets, applications, guides, tutorials, and other resources to support research, learning, collaboration, and innovation.

Our goal is to make research resources easier to discover, understand, and use.

Spatial Data

Explore datasets and data resources related to:

Geographic and geospatial data
Population and demographic data
Health and environmental data
Remote sensing and Earth observation
Open geospatial data
Humanitarian and development data
Country and regional data resources

Research Tools

Discover tools and platforms that support:

GIS and spatial analysis
Remote sensing and Earth observation
Data management
Statistical analysis
Data visualization
Mapping and cartography
Research software
Field data collection

AI for Research

Artificial intelligence is changing how research is conducted, analyzed, and communicated.

IdeaLab Research explores responsible applications of AI for:

Literature discovery
Research planning
Data analysis
Coding and programming
Data visualization
Academic writing
Research communication
Grant and funding discovery

AI should support research—not replace critical thinking, evidence, ethics, or human judgment.

Research Guides

Explore practical guidance related to:

Research methods
Research design
Data management
Data visualization
Academic writing
Scholarly publishing
Open research practices

Featured Resources

Explore a curated selection of useful platforms, applications, datasets, videos, and tools for research, learning, and geospatial analysis.

Research & GIS Videos

Explore tutorials, courses, discussions, and other educational content from the [Tayyab Shah YouTube Channel].

Featured learning content includes [From Data to Manuscript], a project-based course designed to help students and new researchers develop practical skills in quantitative survey analysis, data interpretation, visualization, and manuscript writing.

Open Spatial and Humanitarian Data

Explore the [Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX)] for access to geographic, population, humanitarian, health, environmental, infrastructure, and other research datasets.

Global Mapping & Earth Observation

Explore global platforms and applications that support the analysis and visualization of land cover, surface water, environmental change, infrastructure, and other Earth observation data.

Featured resources include:

[Dynamic World] — Global, near-real-time land-cover information derived from satellite imagery.
[Global Surface Water Explorer] — Global information on the location and change of surface water over time.
[Global Infrastructure Map] — Resources for exploring and understanding infrastructure at a global scale.
[Google Earth Engine] — A cloud-based platform for planetary-scale geospatial analysis and Earth observation.

Useful Research Applications

Explore practical applications and platforms for:

Mapping and spatial analysis
Earth observation
Data visualization
Research data management
Field data collection
Statistical analysis
Artificial intelligence
Research planning and communication

Research Workflows

Research often involves multiple tools, methods, and stages. IdeaLab Research shares practical workflows that connect data, methods, technologies, and research outputs.

Explore workflows related to:

From data to analysis
From analysis to visualization
From research question to manuscript
GIS and spatial analysis
Remote sensing and Earth observation
Quantitative survey research
Reproducible research

Open & Reproducible Research

IdeaLab Research supports practices that make research more transparent, accessible, and reproducible.

Explore resources related to:

Open data
Open-source software
Reproducible workflows
Data documentation
Research transparency
Open access publishing
Research data sharing

This resource collection will continue to grow as new tools, datasets, applications, guides, videos, and other resources become available.