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October 2015
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
BOOK
REVIEW
thresholds and multiplicative compounding of map accuracies
is not addressed. The section on Multi-Concept data collection
and analysis should have included a clearer exposition of multi-
sensor data fusion and merging in mind. The implication that
hyperspectral data act as an extension of multispectral data
represents a missed opportunity to present some of the unique
methods used for those types of data.
Chapter 5 is out of place and should have preceded Chapter
3 as it could have served as a foundational chapter for not only
the development of a project or research program, but also
leading to a comprehensive data and information collection
protocol. The author could have mentioned radiometric
rescaling (of the bit depth) as a technique commonly used.
“Ground truth” (but not in quotation marks) makes its
appearance again. A discussion of the Kappa statistic,
however is notoriously absent from the section on accuracy
assessment. The subsection on Theory and Observation is of
a philosophical nature, and although it is well written, it is
something of a lost opportunity; it could have been used to
address the validity, uncertainty and error budgets of ground-
based observations as compared to “remote” observations. The
writing style used in some subsections appears telegraphic
and fragmented in its delivery. With reference to the validity
and reliability of observations, the author further categorizes
“...ground observations as “valid and ideal” (truth).”
In Chapter 6, the author brings to bear issues germane
to the politics of science. There is a clear and well written
warning to researchers in terms of what to avoid as unethical.
When it comes to the ethics of research, the author’s exposition
of the distortions and corruption of research goals and ideals
leaves the reader with more of a bitter taste than an edifying
feeling. Listing the official ASPRS code of ethics does provide a
redeeming value as the chapter is brought to a close.
Chapter 7 is a style guide on scientific writing and reporting,
which could prove helpful to writers of different types of
research manuscripts, The writing guidelines section is well
written and chock-full of good advice for students, advisors
and major professors and anybody in general. This section also
paradoxically sports seven pages written without a break.
This volume provides the reader with an uncommonly
deep philosophical outlook on research in general, a solid
methodological framework supporting the design of a scientific
research project, a rich array of sources and references, but
also with a sweeping yet incomplete and somewhat flawed
overview of the basics of remote sensing.
