Geographic Information Systems

This volume is designed to acquaint graduate students in the social sciences with geographic information systems. Recently, there has been recognition by government, foundations and universities how little exposure students at all levels receive to geographic knowledge and methods. Social scientists in fields outside of geography are also currently unaware of the potential uses of computerized mapping in comparative research and in the prediction of social outcomes. GIS is a new technology that permits the researcher to analyze and display quantitative data via computer-generated maps. Each place and territorial unit depicted on the map is "tied" to relevant data situated in a "database". The presence or absence of variables, or the strength of the interaction dictates the density of the cross-hatching associated with each location. The maps that are thereby produced frequently depict patterns of social interaction, patterns that in turn suggest new hypotheses. GIS is, therefore, a useful tool for the investigation of the spatial variation and differentiation of any social process.
Contributors include Michael Goodchild, Luc Anselin, Carville Earle, Scott Fedick, Edgar Butler, John Agnew, George Friedman and Leonard Hochberg.