Analytical Methods in Geography - What is Geography? (7/7)

Summary

In this educational video series, Dr. Heath Robinson explores the multifaceted discipline of geography. He discusses the subdivision of geography into place or region, thematic specializations like human, physical, and biological geography, and methodological approaches such as remote sensing, geographic information systems, geostatistics, qualitative methods, and cartography. Emphasizing the geographic triad of location, subject, and methodology, Robinson encourages viewers to develop expertise in these areas to conduct comprehensive geographic studies, potentially contributing to solving global issues.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Geography is a broad field that can be subdivided into smaller parts for focused study.
• 📍 Specialization by place or region allows geographers to choose a specific location and scale for their studies.
• 📚 The three thematic specializations within geography are human geography, physical geography, and biological geography.
• 🔗 There is a significant emphasis on the connections between different thematic specializations, particularly in the study of human/environment interaction.
• 🔬 Methodology is a third way to subdivide geography, focusing on the techniques used to conduct studies.
• 🛰️ Remote sensing is a technical specialization that uses satellite and other sensor platforms to detect information about the planet.
• 💻 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a field that uses computer systems to solve geographic problems and answer questions, with increasing capabilities year by year.
• 📊 Geostatistics involves the use of specific statistical methodologies to analyze geographic patterns and data tied to locations.
• 🗣️ Qualitative methods in geography include fieldwork, interviews, and participant observation to understand human perspectives and experiences.
• 🗺️ Cartography is the technical specialization of map-making, which is crucial for communicating geographic information and study results.

Q & A

What are the three major ways to subdivide geography according to Dr. Heath Robinson?

The three major ways to subdivide geography are by place or region, by theme, and by methodology.

What does thematic specialization within geography include?

Thematic specialization within geography includes human geography, physical geography, and biological geography.

What is the significance of human/environment interaction in geography?

Human/environment interaction is a field that explores the linkages between human geography, biological geography, and physical geography, emphasizing the connections rather than boundaries between these disciplines.

What is remote sensing in the context of geography?

Remote sensing is a specialization in geography that involves using sensor platforms, such as satellites or airborne systems, to detect information about the planet.

How does geographic information systems (GIS) contribute to solving geographic problems?

Geographic information systems (GIS) contribute by using computer systems to store, manage, and analyze spatially referenced data to solve geographic problems and answer questions.

What is geostatistics and its role in geography?

Geostatistics is a methodological subfield in geography that employs specific statistical methodologies to analyze geographic patterns and data with location tied to it, such as predicting disease outbreaks.

What are qualitative methods in geography and why are they important?

Qualitative methods in geography include fieldwork techniques like participant observation and interviews, which are crucial for understanding human experiences and perspectives in specific locations.

Why is cartography considered a technical specialization within geography?

Cartography is considered a technical specialization within geography because it involves the creation and interpretation of maps, which require specialized skills to communicate spatial information effectively.

What is the geographic triad mentioned by Dr. Heath Robinson?

The geographic triad refers to the combination of location, subject or theme, and methodology, which together form the basis of a geographic study.

How does the study of geography involve interdisciplinary approaches?

The study of geography often involves interdisciplinary approaches because many other disciplines have geographic questions or problems to solve, requiring knowledge of geographic methodologies like GIS.

What is the potential impact of advancements in satellite systems on the field of remote sensing?

Advancements in satellite systems can lead to an increase in data availability and sophistication, enhancing the capabilities of remote sensing specialists to study and understand the planet more effectively.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Subdividing Geography: Place, Theme, and Methodology

Dr. Heath Robinson introduces the concept of subdividing geography into three main categories: place or region, theme, and methodology. He explains that geography is a vast subject that requires specialization to study effectively. The first category involves selecting a place or region and its scale, allowing for a personalized approach to geographical study. The second category is thematic, with human geography, physical geography, and biological geography as the three primary specializations. Dr. Robinson also emphasizes the importance of understanding the connections between these themes rather than focusing on their distinctions. The third category, methodology, is crucial for conducting geographical studies and includes techniques like remote sensing, which involves using sensor platforms to gather information about the planet.

05:00

💻 Geographical Methodologies: Remote Sensing and GIS

Dr. Robinson discusses the methodologies used in geography, with a focus on remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). Remote sensing is a technical specialization that uses satellite or airborne platforms to detect information about the Earth, which is particularly useful for studying phenomena detectable by electromagnetic radiation. The field is becoming increasingly sophisticated with advancements in satellite technology. Geographic information systems, on the other hand, involve using computer systems to solve geographic problems or answer questions related to the Earth. This field is interdisciplinary and is crucial for various disciplines that deal with spatially referenced information. Dr. Robinson highlights the importance of GIS in research and problem-solving across different fields.

10:04

📊 Methodological Specializations in Geography

The video script continues with Dr. Robinson elaborating on additional methodological specializations within geography, such as geostatistics, qualitative methods, and cartography. Geostatistics involves the use of statistical methodologies tailored for geographic patterns and location-based data, which is essential for predicting phenomena like disease outbreaks. Qualitative methods encompass a range of techniques used for fieldwork, including participant observation and interviews, which are vital for understanding human perspectives and experiences in specific locations. Cartography, the art of map-making, is highlighted as a technical specialization that focuses on communicating geographical information effectively, whether through traditional printed maps or modern digital and web-based applications.

🌐 The Geographic Triad: Location, Theme, and Methodology

Dr. Robinson concludes the video series by introducing the concept of the 'geographic triad,' which combines location, theme, and methodology to form a comprehensive geographical study. He emphasizes that most geographic research involves all three elements, and thus, a well-rounded geographer should develop expertise in each area. He encourages viewers to consider the interdisciplinary nature of geography and its potential to contribute to solving significant global issues. The video ends with an invitation for further learning and a hopeful outlook on the role of geography in addressing societal challenges.

Keywords

💡Geography

Geography is the study of the Earth's landscapes, peoples, places, and environments. It is a holistic discipline that seeks to understand the complexity of our world. In the video, geography is described as a broad subject that requires subdivision to focus on smaller, more manageable parts, such as specific regions or themes.

💡Subdisciplines

Subdisciplines refer to the specialized branches or areas of study within a broader academic field. In the context of the video, geography is divided into subdisciplines like human geography, physical geography, and biological geography, each focusing on different aspects of the Earth and its inhabitants.

💡Human Geography

Human geography is the study of how people interact with their environment and how spatial configurations impact human society. The video mentions it as one of the three thematic specializations within geography, emphasizing the connections between people and places.

💡Physical Geography

Physical geography is the study of natural environments and the processes that shape them. It is highlighted in the video as a thematic specialization that focuses on the Earth's physical features and the forces that influence them.

💡Biological Geography

Biological geography is the study of the distribution of plants, animals, and other organisms across the Earth's surface. The video includes it as one of the thematic specializations, indicating an interest in how living things are distributed geographically.

💡Human/Environment Interaction

Human/environment interaction refers to the complex relationships between human societies and their natural environments. The video discusses this as a field of study that explores the linkages between human activities and environmental processes.

💡Methodology

Methodology in geography refers to the systematic approaches and techniques used to study geographical phenomena. The video explains that geography can be subdivided by methodology, such as remote sensing or geographic information systems, which are crucial for conducting geographical research.

💡Remote Sensing

Remote sensing is a technique used in geography that involves the collection of information about the Earth's surface using sensors from a distance, typically from satellites or aircraft. The video describes it as a significant specialization within geography, allowing for the detection of various phenomena via electromagnetic radiation.

💡Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

GIS is a system designed for capturing, storing, analyzing, and presenting geographic and spatial data. In the video, GIS is presented as a vital methodology that uses computer systems to solve geographic problems and answer questions related to the Earth's surface.

💡Geostatistics

Geostatistics is a branch of statistics that deals with spatially dependent data. The video mentions it as a methodological specialization within geography that employs specific statistical techniques to analyze geographic patterns and make predictions based on location data.

💡Qualitative Methods

Qualitative methods in geography involve non-numerical data collection and analysis, such as interviews, observations, and fieldwork. The video emphasizes their importance in understanding human perspectives and experiences in specific locations.

💡Cartography

Cartography is the study and practice of making maps and visual representations of spatial data. The video notes that cartography is a technical specialization within geography, focusing on how to communicate geographic information through map-making.

Highlights

Geography can be subdivided into smaller parts for a comprehensive understanding.

Specialization by place or region allows choosing the scale of study.

Geography has thematic specializations: human, physical, and biological geography.

Sub-subdisciplines exist within each thematic specialization.

Centroids and interactions are emphasized over boundaries in geography.

Human/environment interaction is a significant field of study.

Methodology is the third way to subdivide geography, after place and theme.

Remote sensing uses sensor platforms to detect information about the planet.

Satellites provide vast amounts of data for geographical studies.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) use computer systems to solve geographic problems.

Geostatistics employs specific statistical methods for geographic data.

Qualitative methods include fieldwork and participant observation.

Cartography is the art and science of making maps and visual representations of geographic data.

The geographic triad consists of location, subject/theme, and methodology.

Geographers often specialize in all three elements of the geographic triad.

The video series aims to awaken intellectual curiosity about the planet.

Transcripts

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Hello! And welcome back to our video series on "What is Geography?"

I'm Dr. Heath Robinson. We were just talking about

different ways that we can subdivide geography. Because we said that even

if you take the core of geography as the comprehensive and holistic

understanding of the entire world, that is pretty big. That's a very big

subject, and so we need different ways to subdivide that in order to get at

different smaller parts of it. So we had said that the first way

that we can subdivide that by saying we can specialize by place or by

region, and we said you get to choose the place as well as the scale

of the study if you are interested in geography. Then

we also said that not only could you select your own place or region

but you could also select your own subject, a specialization

of subject matter within geography. And the

three big specialization's within geography, thematically,

are human geography, physical geography, and biological geography.

And then I gave a number of different sub-subdisciplines

within each one of those, as well as, I emphasized

the fact that you can talk about connections between those. Just like

we don't want to talk about boundaries between different

disciplines as far as human knowledge goes, we want to talk about centroids and how they

interact. Likewise, in geography, thematically, we want

to talk about centroids of human geography, biological geography

and physical geography, and we don't want to set up any

arbitrary distinction. And that lots and lots of studies, very interesting studies

are currently being done in a field that is specifically talking about

the linkages between those called human/environment interaction.

So that is a very big way that we can subdivide geography.

There is a third way. We said there were three major ways. So

if the first is place or region, the second is theme, the third

is by methodology. It is not enough to just say

hey, we want to study the biological geography of

France, or we want to study the economic geography of Germany,

or something like that. We have got to have some kind of methodology. We've got to

have some kind of technique to conduct that study. So,

we have developed a number of different techniques within geography

for studying different phenomena in different locations.

And so it is possible to subdivide geography by what particular

methodology or what particular technique is used in the conduct

of that study. And is very very common to find geographers who have

a regional specialization, as well as a thematic or subject matter

specialization, as well as having a particular methodological

specialization. So in no particular order, and sort of in general

and in the round, I want to talk about different methodologies that we have in

geography for conducting these studies. The first one I want to talk about

is one that I have already mentioned a few times going through here, and that is remote sensing.

Remote sensing is specializing in using

some type of sensor platform, whether it is space-based

on a satellite, or airborne, or on some other type

of platform like that to detect information about the planet.

This is a huge specialization within geography. People who

use satellites to learn about the planet in some way.

If you happen to be someone who is studying something, some phenomenon

that can be detected by electromagnetic radiation,

you may be in a situation where you could be awash

with data, because there are many many different satellites that are orbiting the earth

constantly that are collecting all of this data about the planet.

The field of remote sensing is a very technical one. There is a very

technical specialization, but there are all kinds of opportunities there.

There are all kinds of studies that need to be done, using satellite systems.

And it really is the case that the number and sophistication of different

satellite systems, or airborne systems, or other systems of this kind

only become increasingly sophisticated and capable

every year. And so this is a fantastic field to get into. It is a fantastic

specialization to have that can allow you to discover some absolutely

amazing things. Another specialization is geographic information

systems. Broadly speaking, geographic information systems

is about, how to do you use computer systems to

solve geographic problems or answer geographic questions. And

it's really the case that every single year, our computer systems get more

and more capable, and the kinds of questions we can answer, the kinds of

problems we can solve in geography, only increase, every

single year. So if you're technically minded, if you are interested

in computer systems, this is also a huge field. How do you use

computers to solve these kinds of problems and answer

these questions, and many many many questions,

very important questions about our planet, can use computers

to solve these questions because computers are getting more and more capable.

It's probably the case that in some way, it will be easier

for you to answer that question or solve that problem if you

understand how to use computer systems. Geographic data, though

does require considerations that may not be

necessary if you are just talking about data in

just a relational database or that sort of thing. That's very

sophisticated, there are all kinds of things you need to know about that, but then there is another layer

that when you are talking about information about the earth, spatially referenced

information, there are all different kinds of issues that you have to

think about. And so if you become a specialist in geographic information

systems, then you are really specializing in how to we use computers

to store and manage all of this information about our planet and

use that information and all the capabilities of our computer systems

to solve problems, to answer questions. This is a very big field.

It is a very important field, and moreover, becasue

many other disciplines have questions they want to answer or

problems that they want to solve that have this spatial

location, this geographic location as a particular variable

whether it is political science, or geology, or urban and regional planning,

or environmental engineering, or environmental policy, or

I could go on and on and on, those specialists in that

particular domain have geographic questions to answer,

problems to solve, and so it is often the case that specialists in that

particular subject matter, need to have some kind of

background or some kind of experience with geographic information systems

in order to continue in their fields and so this is a very interdisciplinary

kind of thing. When I am teaching geographic information systems, I engage with

the people in all different kinds of fields because they have recognized that

this is an important component of their research, of their

problems, solving problems, of their answering questions,

that is essential. And so I think that is fantastic. I love

the cross-pollination between geography, in this particular technical

methodology, and all of the other different inquiries in human knowledge. I think

it is fantastic. Geostatistics. Here is another.

Statisticians study all sorts of things, but there are

specific statistical methodologies that are necessary to employ when you're

looking for particular geographic patterns or other types of

statistical data which has location tied to

it. If you are trying to predict disease outbreak, for example,

you may want to develop some kind of statistical model about

disease in particular locations. The disease, obviously

has this geographic location, so you can't use statistics,

or you probably don't want to use statistics, that don't consider location and geography

when you are building out your statistical models. You may need

statistical techniques that specifically involve location

in order to make the kinds of predictions that you want to be able to make.

So geostatistics is another huge subfield,

methodological subfield, specialization, within geography.

Qualitative methods. These are also huge.

There are all different kinds of methods that people in geography use

that go out into field when they are talking with people, when they are interacting

with people when they are in the location that are extremely important.

Participant observation, sort of borrowed sometimes from anthropology.

There are many many different techniques

about learning what particular people—when you're there—when you are in

the field, when you are trying to figure out what something is like, how do people

feel about a particular subject. You may need to go there, conduct

interviews, and be able to put that together and come up with some type

of answer to some particular question, based on

that fieldwork. These are qualitative methods. They are used all the time

and they can discover amazing things. I suppose I would also like to point out cartography.

Lots of people when they think about geography, they's say, "Oh

so you know how to make maps." Or, "Geography is about making maps." And

that's absolutely true, that many geographers are interested in

cartography and map-making and so cartography is a

technical specialization with geography, within this methodology.

How do you use maps to communicate information, the results

of studies, and so forth? Whether that is in a printed

map, like has been very traditional for hundreds of years, or if you are talking

about cartographic depictions digitally, electronically, on the web

using different web mapping applications, developing 3-D models

of different locations and so forth, that is all cartography.

That is a technical specialization with geography, and certainly many people

do choose to specialize in cartographic production. So those are my

three major ways you can subdivide geography in the round,

and broadly speaking. You can talk about different places,

and different regions. You can talk about different thematic or subject

specialties, and you can talk about different methodological

specialties, and when you put all three of these things together,

I call these three things the geographic triad. Because,

so many geographic studies, if you want to create one, involve

all three of these things. You are going to conduct the study in a

particular location. You are going to be studying a particular subject.

You are going to studying a particular theme, and you are going to be using some particular

methodology. So really it is when you put together

location, subject, or theme, and methodology

that you've got a geographic study, and so I build

then I am talking about building research projects,

to my students, I build it around this geographic triad.

That is why it is so common to find people who specialize in geography

to have specialties in every one of those three areas.

So if you are interested in getting into geography then you

should develop proficiency and expertise

in every one of those three elements of the geographic triad.

It is really been my pleasure to create this video series in "What is

Geogrpahy?" for you. I hope that you have learned a lot. I hope that it has

awakened some kind of intellectual curiosity about the planet in you, and who

knows, maybe you are the one that is going to go on to answer

some of the major questions, solve some of the big problems that our world

is having, that we are engaged with as a society right now. You know

I would love to have you in more courses if you are interested in the kind of material that I

teach. But regardless, until then, I wish you the best of luck

in everything that you are going on to do, and who knows, maybe I'll see you

around the planet.

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