Description

Despite its relatively weak quantitative functionality, GIS is primarily associated with statistical and quantitative spatial analysis. This creates a particular representation of GIS as linked to traditional understandings of science and technology and, critically, to corporate power and institutions of control. In addition, constructing GIS as solely quantitative prevents it from being used for qualitative analysis, non-quantitative spatial analysis, and progressive research that often (although not always) relies upon non-quantitative research methods. GIS is, however, well suited for particular forms of qualitative research. For example, it allows for a rich visualization of information in the form of maps and other types of graphic data representation. In this sense, cutting-edge research in geovisualization is directly supporting non-quantitative uses of GIS. In addition to geovisualization, other recent research illustrates not only that a qualitative GIS is possible and growing but that it fulfills an important epistemological function. This function consists of the ability to visualize and investigate social phenomena that cannot be represented by quantitative databases (whether governmental, commercial, or user created) or analyzed by traditional quantitative and statistical techniques. Not only does qualitative GIS contribute to furthering our scientific understanding of the world by expanding the range of usable epistemologies, but it also supports research agendas that are committed to progressive politics and challenge the status quo. Finally, qualitative GIS also contributes to advances in social theory because it easily incorporates space into our thinking about the world and allows us to ask research questions that can only be addressed through mixed methods research. Qualitative geographic information systems (GIS) is a term representing diverse attempts to integrate qualitative data into existing GIS programs. Qualitative geographic information systems (qual-GIS) incorporates non quantitative data into GIS, integrates qualitative data collection and analysis with quantitative spatial analysis facilitated by GIS, adopts epistemologies typically associated with qualitative research, or a combination of these. Geographic Information Systems are an essential tool for analyzing and representing quantitative spatial data. Qualitative GIS explains the recent integration of qualitative research with Geographical Information Systems. With a detailed contextualising introduction, the text examines how researchers are using GIS to create new types of representations; working with spatial data, maps, and other visualizations to incorporate multiple meanings and to provide texture and context.