The analysis of the tithe survey within a GIS (Geographical Information System) has been part of research, teaching and assessment at the Department of Geography at the University of Portsmouth for a number of years. The organisation of the tithe data in map and schedule lends itself to analysis in a GIS. In the sense of referencing map data with non-spatial data it can be argued that the tithe survey of England and Wales was in itself an early GIS.

A GIS can consist of a single GIS software package, such as ArcInfo or MapInfo. It can, however, incorporate other components, like statistical packages or the Internet, according to the needs of the application. The most important components of the tithe survey as far as GIS is concerned are the maps and the schedules. Linking the tithe area number to the number on the corresponding map spatially references the data in the schedule. The map elements of the tithe survey are best represented within the vector data model.

Once captured, the tithe data per se can yield additional information apart from field boundaries and can be augmented by a number of other datasets, e.g. slope aspect and height data. The additional information gleamed from the tithe maps can be road networks, rivers and waterways, distances from centres of population, drainage or storage facilities for produce. The interaction of the different layers of information can be analysed in a statistical package and through statistical modelling influences and relationships can be established. The use of tithe rent charge as a proxy for agricultural productivity is especially valuable, as no records on agricultural productivity exist before 1866.