Which of the following is a major trade-off when selecting resolution for GIS data?

When selecting resolution for GIS data, one of the significant trade-offs involves storage, processing, and cost. Higher resolution data typically means more detailed information and greater accuracy, but it also results in larger file sizes. This increase in size requires more storage space and can lead to longer processing times as the system needs to handle more data. Additionally, the costs associated with acquiring, storing, and processing high-resolution data can be significantly higher than those for lower resolution alternatives.

Choosing the right resolution thus requires careful consideration of these factors to ensure that the quality of the data aligns with the project's goals and available resources. Balancing these competing needs—quality of the data, the resources required to store and process it, and budget limitations—plays a critical role in effective GIS project management.