![]() ![]() This process, also known as the scientific method, eventually leads to a theory, which is a broad, general explanation that has been tested and not (yet) been proven to be untrue. A positivist approach, which is also associated with the quantitative revolution in geography, holds that it is possible to develop theories that explain phenomena and processes via a process of proposing a hypothesis, developing a way to make empirical observations that test that hypothesis, and then refining the hypothesis based on the empirical observations. The philosophical tradition that is typically associated with "science" in the sense of a general approach to understanding the world is positivism. Understanding the philosophical underpinnings of a science is important because epistemologies shape what questions are asked and how researchers and practitioners of that science try to answer these questions (i.e., by what methods). With a narrow focus on the "sciences of" meaning of the word, it is possible to identify some philosophical underpinnings (ontologies, epistemologies, theories) that can be found across all sciences, no matter the phenomenon upon which a specific science focuses. ![]() " Science" is used both to describe a general, systematic approach to understanding the world and to refer to that approach as it is applied to a specific phenomenon of interest, for example, the "science of economics" or "geographic information science." The specific ways in which these systematic approaches are put into practice have evolved over time and vary depending upon the object(s) or phenomena of interest. Theory: a set of propositions that explains something scientific theories are evidence-based explanations Science: the systematic study of phenomena and processes using experiments, measurements, and observations Representation: a cartographic theory that holds that symbols on a map stand for something in the world Post-structuralism: a set of philosophical approaches that question whether signs and the things they stand for have fixed relationships with each other Post-representation: a cartographic theory that holds that there is no distinction between the map and the world – that is, the map and the world make each other Positivism: a set of philosophical approaches, often associated with science, that seeks to develop theories and laws that explain phenomena and processes through empirical observations and inductive reasoning Map : a representation of spatial relationships Using Maps to Support Scientific ThinkingĬartography: the process of designing the graphical marks that comprise a mapĮpistemology: a theory of how we can know something and that shapes the set of methods that can (acceptably) be used within a subject area.A Brief History of "Scientific Cartography".Finally, it concludes with a discussion of how maps are used to communicate the results of scientific thinking. Next it discusses how maps have been used by scientists to support scientific thinking. This entry begins with a brief history of the development of scientific cartographic approaches, including how they are deployed in map design research today. "Scientific cartography" became a dominant mode of cartographic research and inquiry after World War II, when there was increased focus on the efficacy of particular design decisions and how particular maps were understood by end users. It consists of an iterative cycle of several steps: proposing a hypothesis, devising a way to make empirical observations that test that hypothesis, and finally, refining the hypothesis based on the empirical observations. ![]() "Science" is used both to describe a general, systematic approach to understanding the world and to refer to that approach as it is applied to a specific phenomenon of interest, for example, "geographic information science." The scientific method is used to develop theories that explain phenomena and processes. ![]()
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