Geography 1400F/G Lecture : The World in Spatial Terms - Geographic Research and Maps
Document Summary
The world in spatial terms geographic research and maps. Two general approaches to developing knowledge: inductive reasoning: Perceptual experiences unordered facts definition, classification, measurement ordered facts inductive generalization laws and theory construction explanation. This was brought in by carl ritter who lived from 1779-1859: deductive reasoning: It starts with a sense that a general principle exists. Research are then carried out to determine if it applies in specific circumstances. Experiments are designed to prove the validity of the generalization. If shown to be valid law/theory is then established. Perceptual experiences images of real world structure a priori model hypothesis experimental design. Data verification procedures laws and theory construction (if successful = positive feed back, if unsuccessful = negative feedback) Purposes of research: description of places, events, and situations (ex: patterns of residential distribution in london, explanation that answers the question why? (ex: why do high income groups concentrate in north and west.