Which of the following is a method used in GIS to answer questions like the population in a specific area?

The method used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to answer questions like determining the population in a specific area is through querying. Queries allow users to retrieve specific data from within a dataset by applying certain criteria or conditions. For instance, one could create a query to extract all census data from a particular geographic boundary, thereby obtaining the population figures for that area. This targeted approach helps in analyzing spatial data and making informed decisions based on the extracted information.

While measurements could refer to calculating distances or areas, they do not directly address the question of how many individuals live in a specific location. Transformations involve changing the format or type of data, which is also not directly relevant to population inquiries. Layering pertains to the capability of stacking various information layers in a GIS, which is useful for visual representation but does not specifically answer questions about the population. Querying effectively leverages the database within GIS to extract the precise answers needed for demographic analysis.