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2006, Annals of The Association of American Geographers
AI
In the Information Age, the definition of information remains vague, particularly within geographic information science (GIScience). Two opposing metaphors dominate the literature: one views information as a transportable entity, while the other sees it as part of a refinement hierarchy. This paper critiques these metaphors and argues for a social theory of geographic information, emphasizing the ethical and social dimensions that impact the use of geographic information technologies. Additionally, it calls for a deeper exploration of information concepts within GIScience to enhance user responsiveness.
Is GIS a tool or a science? The question is clearly important in the day-to-day operations of geography departments. Departments need to know if GIS is a tool that should be taught at the undergraduate level, or a science and thus a legitimate research specialty of faculty and graduate students. We summarize the debate on this question that was conducted on GIS-L electronic listserver in late 1993. In evaluating this discussion it became clear that GIS could be understood not by the two distinct positions taken by the GIS-L discussants but as three positions along a continuum ranging from tool to science. These positions attach several meanings to "doing GIS." These are (1) GIS as tool, i.e., the use of a particular class of software, associated hardware tools, and digital geographic data in order to advance some specific purpose; (2) GIS as toolmaking, i.e., the advancement of the tool's capabilities and facilities (ease of use); and (3) the science of GIS, i.e., the analysis of the fundamental issues raised by the use of GIS. Recognizing the importance of understanding what is meant by "doing science" as well as what is meant by "doing GIS," we conclude that only one of these positions-"the science of GIS"-is a sufficient condition for science. The "toolmaker" position is rarely able to meet the test of science; and the "GIS is a tool" position involves "doing science" only if it yields progress on some substantive problem. The debate is certainly problematic in light of the variety of perspectives on science and on GIS. The persistence of the issue suggests, however, that the GIS community should continue to work toward a resolution.
Some possible issues for further discussion: GIS and Society versus Critical GIS As was evident in the debate at and following the 1998 UCGIS Summer Assembly in Park City, Utah, there remains a major intellectual tension between the various themes identified in Chapter 10. It may well be profitable to determine whether the umbrella approach provided in the chapter has been superseded by events and progress since it was written. On the other hand it may well be beating a dead horse, and contributions such as the special issue of Cartographica mentioned by Eric Sheppard have made redundant discussion of whether these themes need to be further refined. Digital Earth, etc. The advent of Google Earth, Microsoft's Virtual Earth and other geobrowsers has major implications for how we interact with geographical information in a number of domains, across social groupings and across cultures. GIS and Society has clearly become mainstream. For example, Jeremy Crampton supervised a wide col...
International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research, 2011
The Center for Geographic Information Science (CGISc) at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) was established in the Summer of 2006. CGISc is an educational research entity that relies on the use of GIS and the science of geographic information to conduct research on human and natural phenomena distributed on the Earth’s surface. CGISc welcomes interdisciplinary collaboration, and emphasizes the development of public-private sector partnerships. CGISc also places a high priority on research that involves students. This paper first provides an overview of the CGISc. This section is followed by a discussion on the fundamental approach to conducting geographic research using GIS. The paper concludes with several significant projects and a discussion on future directions.
International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 2009
Alternative Representations Different approaches to portraying geospatial information to address a particular task. Critical GIS Social theoretic issues that underlie geographic information science and systems. Geographic Information and Society A relationship between geographic information use and a context within a society. Geographic Information System (GIS) A combination of database management capabilities for collecting and storing large amounts of geospatial data, together with spatial analysis capabilities to investigate geospatial relationships among the entities represented by that data, plus map display capabilities to portray the geospatial relationships in two-and three-dimensional map form. Participatory GIS Members of community group(s) directing the use of GIS to address community outcomes. Public Participation GIS Members of a community responding to local government request to participate in the governance process of that community. Social Construction Influences from society directing development and use of geographic information systems. Society A community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests, or more specifically an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another. Spatially Integrated Social Science Social science explicitly recognizing a spatial component that improves understanding in the science.
Geoforum, 2005
Despite the many alternative insights produced within human geography since the height of the spatial science tradition of the 1960s and those within geographic information systems (GIS) itself, we still observe in our classrooms, hiring committees, and textbooks a dominant and singular understanding of GIS that fixes its meaning in ways that marginalize ''non-GIS'' geography. We are concerned about the effect that this valuation of GIS and devaluation of its others might have on the discipline of geography. In what follows, we report on our examination of the dominant discourse of GIS across a variety of sites in numerous academic, commercial, and educational sources where we found it to be repeatedly performed in ways that give particular meaning and power to ''GIS.'' We identify four characteristics attributed to GIS by and through this widespread discourse. We then discuss the effect of this discourse and, in particular, what it might mean to the discipline of geography. Finally, we suggest an exploration of ''heterodox GIS'' as a discursive strategy that we should deploy in our classrooms, departments, and beyond, as well as a political project aimed at destabilizing a singular and orthodox GIS. Such strategies should not strive to undermine or negate GIS but, rather, should aim to negate the notion that GIS is a single thing, linearly progressing, inherently expanding, and universally applicable.
Journal of Geographical Systems, 2000
Geographical Information Science is essentially computational geography and has its own research program, namely all aspects of formal models for spatial natural processes and the interaction of humans with the environment in space and time. This is not a question of technology and technology-related research; but technology in¯uences what questions can be researched e¨ectively. Collection of data in the ®eld and the simulation of ®eld experience through Virtual Reality are just two questions of how spatial reality and human experience are linked. The focus on human spatial cognition is similarly found in software engineering for interoperable Geographic Information Systems.
International Journal of Remote Sensing, 2014
Remote sensing employs a range of conceptual and mechanistic models. Several conceptual models have been proposed to explain remote sensing systems (RSSs) and either directly prescribe or elucidate the configuration of such systems based on scene conditions and information requirements. This study interrogates the utility of these models for the design and practical implementation of RSSs to address timesensitive information requirements and proposes a novel conceptual model, the remote sensing communication model, that places remote sensing within a decision support context.
Cartography and Geographic Information Science
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are valuable for displaying and analyzing spatial data, revealing spatial patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed. The ubiquity of web and mobile platforms, used to create and share geographic information has reified the value of GIS to a wider audience bringing new popularity to GIS. As a result, GIS and Geographic Information Science (GIScience) are becoming increasingly sought after in interdisciplinary research, which often addresses multifaceted, real-world problems. To understand the necessary level of GIS expertise for a specific interdisciplinary research project, we suggest that the team early on identify the role of GIS within the research. Is it simply the use of GIS as a Tool, employing a GIS Toolmaker for bespoke applications or a GIScientist for new forms of spatial analyses and guidance on social, ethical and spatial ambiguities? To allay future challenges and miscommunication in interdisciplinary research involving GIS, three case studies are presented and common themes related to challenges for the GIScientists are shared.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a relatively new technology. The term was first used in 1968 by Roger Tomlinson [3]. Although the market for GIS technology has been growing steadily estimates of the size of the industry vary greatly. One recent report from industry assessment specialists, Daratech (http://www. daratech. com/press/2004/-041019/), suggested that the core revenue of the GIS industry in 2003 was USD $1.84 billion and that it had grown at a rate of 5.1% over 2002.
2005
No agenda could have anticipated the influences on priorities for research into geographic information systems (GIS) and society brought about by the terrorist attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001 (9/11). The strategic importance of geographic information was demonstrated by the “Emergency Response and Homeland Security: World Trade Center Experiences in the Use of GIS” at the UCGIS Winter Meeting in Washington DC in February 2002.
2003
for understanding geographic processes, relationships, and patterns. The transformation of geographic data into useful information is central to geographic information science." (UCGIS, 2002) A full definition of GI Science was provided in a report on a workshop held in January 1999 at the National Science Foundation, Geographic Information Science: "Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is the basic research field that seeks to redefine geographic concepts and their use in the context of geographic information systems. GIScience also examines the impacts of GIS on individuals and society, and the influences of society on GIS. GIScience reexamines some of the most fundamental themes in traditional spatially oriented fields such as geography, cartography, and geodesy, while incorporating more recent developments in cognitive and information science. It also overlaps with and draws from more specialized research fields such as computer science, statistics, mathematics, and psychology, and contributes to progress in those fields. It supports research in political science and anthropology, and draws on those fields in studies of geographic information and society." (Mark, 2000
Geographic Information Systems and Science, 2019
Annals of The Association of American Geographers, 1997
Is GIS a tool or a science? The question is clearly important in the day-to-day operations of geography departments. Departments need to know if GIS is a tool that should be taught at the undergraduate level, or a science and thus a legitimate research specialty of faculty and graduate students. We summarize the debate on this question that was conducted on GIS-L electronic listserver in late 1993. In evaluating this discussion it became clear that GIS could be understood not by the two distinct positions taken by the GIS-L discussants but as three positions along a continuum ranging from tool to science. These positions attach several meanings to "doing GIS." These are (1) GIS as tool, i.e., the use of a particular class of software, associated hardware tools, and digital geographic data in order to advance some specific purpose; (2) GIS as toolmaking, i.e., the advancement of the tool's capabilities and facilities (ease of use); and (3) the science of GIS, i.e., the analysis of the fundamental issues raised by the use of GIS. Recognizing the importance of understanding what is meant by "doing science" as well as what is meant by "doing GIS," we conclude that only one of these positions-"the science of GIS"-is a sufficient condition for science. The "toolmaker" position is rarely able to meet the test of science; and the "GIS is a tool" position involves "doing science" only if it yields progress on some substantive problem. The debate is certainly problematic in light of the variety of perspectives on science and on GIS. The persistence of the issue suggests, however, that the GIS community should continue to work toward a resolution.
Explain what is GIS and evaluate the different attempts to define GIS in recent years Provide a suitable argument to define GIS today Consider/Evaluate the contemporary validity/significance of the different components of GIS Highlight at least two applications that Built Environment practitioners would consider useful in supporting sustainable development multi-hazard early warning systems Discuss the recent advances in GIS and highlight any potential impacts on the practice of GIS
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