Qualitative GIS
A Mixed Methods Approach
- Meghan Cope - University of Vermont, USA
- Sarah Elwood - University of Washington, USA
With a detailed contextualising introduction, the text is organised in three sections:
Representation: examines how researchers are using GIS to create new types of representations; working with spatial data, maps, and othervisualizations to incorporate multiple meanings and to provide texture and context.
Analysis: discusses the new techniques of analysis that are emerging at the margins between qualitative research and GIS, this in the wider context of a critical review of mixed-methods in geographical research
Theory: questions how knowledge is produced, showing how ideas of 'science' and 'truth' inform research, and demonstrates how qualitative GIS can be used to interrogate discussions of power, community, and social action
Making reference to representation, analysis, and theory throughout, the text shows how to frame questions, collect data, analyze results, and represent findings in a truly integrated way. An important addition to the mixed methods literature, Qualitative GIS will be the standard reference for upper-level students and researchers using qualitative methods and Geographic Information Systems.
'An important and meaningful, even an innovative, resource in its field of inquiry. It makes a major contribution to geography by describing, presenting and analyzing the way in which qualitative information may be included in geographic information systems. GIS technology in general is not merely a tool for processing quantitative or qualitative spatial data. Qualitative GIS in particular constitutes a knowledge base with philosophical (ontological and epistemological) foundations. The incorporation of qualitative methods into GIS produces a whole that is "greater than the sum of its parts". Moreover, the book contributes to our understanding of the process in the social sciences by giving a visual presentation of social and spatial phenomena, and thus its contribution goes beyond the geographic discipline' -
Geography Research Forum
'Qualitative GIS is coming of age, and this definitive collection explains why it deserves broad attention. These carefully selected essays by leading researchers, organized around a broad conception of qualitative GIS that extends beyond multi-media data integration to embrace new software tools and interpretive, situated epistemologies, will push readers to rethink not only their preconceptions about qualitative GIS, but also about GI science and critical GIS. GIS researchers, practicioners, observers and users will find much to chew on here' - Professor Eric Sheppard, University of Minnesota, USA
A brilliant companion for navigating the emerging field of qualitative GIS. The book guides readers through aspects of performing mixed-method research using GIS, including methodological framework, techniques, geovisualisation, and why it is necessary for research.
This book provides an alternative approach for GIS studies. The traditional quantitative and positivist frame in geoinformatic and GIS does not fully cover every possibilitie of GIS. Qualitative GIS methodology provides softer frame for geographical spatial analysis, data collection and visualization.
Softer qualitative approaches are essential when surveying values, experiences and feelings of citizens or groups. Therefore, this book provides valuable input to broad field of GIS methodology.
My recommnendation is that this book is valuable supplemental reading in university level methodology courses. Especially, this book suites well to courses in human geography.
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The 27 chapters of the book allow a two way exploration of the challenging issues related to GIS and Society. The longitudinal path give an account how GIS in fifty years moved from the computational management of geographic information performed into specialized scientific, business, military institutions to a widespread into public and private sectors and civil society, especially in the last two decades. Then the cross sectional path allows an exploration of the interconnected issues related to the role of geographic information and technologies in society. Starting from the interplay among technology and society and the GIS in the context of technological revolution, the Handbook accompanies the reader in a series of compelling encounters with key topics: change in technologies, alternative representations, spatial data infrastructures, participatory GIS, justice and ethics, exploring also future issues and challenges. The Handbook of GIS and Society, is a key resource as course book, but it is also a tool for professional life and a research companion about many issues related to social dimension of GIS.
The book edited by Megan Cope and Sarah Elwood presents ten contributions investigating a cluster of issues related to qualitative GIS. From the title a mixed methods approach constitutes the key thread for the exploration of topics and relations. Despite its quantitative origin embedded in some fixities GIS is permeable by qualitative data and qualitative interpretations facilitating the integration of different social actors perspective in a negotiation of alternative truths. GIS tools beyond their structured organization offer a wide array of opportunities to discuss multiple layered representations, to question issues of identity, power, situated knowledge. Qualitative GIS and mixed method approach is also a way to investigate inside geographical sciences and social construction of space. This Quantitative and qualitative researchers and practitioners can find many contribution for reflections and every day spatial practices.
An excellent resource for our research. Well researched, practical and crosses different solutions and methods for implementing GIS projects with a qualitative approach. This book is useful for supporting several existing projects using GIS, particularly in our field of natural resource management and sustainability. The text will support building a research constituency for our postgraduate and undergraduate students around innovative use of GIS platforms.
An excellent resource for teaching, but essentially supplementary material for interested students. Well researched, practical and crosses different solutions and methods for implementing GIS projects with a qualitative approach. This book is useful for existing projects and in building a research constituency for our undergraduate students.
Great book that brings together ideas and research that explores the relatively new area of qualitative GIS. I will recommend this for our Masters Research Methods students.
The book is too much a collection of articles in order to help my students to use quantitative and qualitative geo data in their projects
