A geographer will typically do the following:
- Gather geographic data through field observations, maps, photographs, satellite imagery, and censuses
- Use surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative methods in their research
- Use quantitative methods, such as statistical analysis, in their research
- Create and modify maps, graphs, diagrams, or other visual representations of geographic data
- Analyze the geographic distribution of physical and cultural characteristics and occurrences
- Use geographic information system (GIS) technology to collect, analyze, and display data
- Write reports and present research findings
- Assist, advise, or lead others in using GIS and geographic data
- Combine geographic data with data about a particular specialty, such as economics, the environment, health, or politics
How do geographers use maps in their jobs?
They then use the maps to inform governments, businesses, and the general public on a variety of issues, such as developing marketing strategies; planning homes, roads, and landfills; and responding to disasters. Physical geographers examine the physical aspects of a region and how they relate to humans.
Do geographers use primary or secondary data?
Some geographers use mostly primary data, whereas others use mostly sec- ondary data. This depends mostly on the geographer’s topical area of research. However, compared to many other scientific disciplines, both human and physical geographers use a great deal of secondary data.
How do you characterize data in geography?
One way to characterize data in geography concerns whether they were collected specifically for the purpose of a researcher’s particular study. If so, we call the data primary. An example would be a geographer who interviews people about their attitudes toward bioengineered agriculture.
What data should be collected in a geographic survey?
They should collect data from interviews, fieldwork, reference material, and digital resources. Internet-based sources for geographic information are increasingly accessible but must always be evaluated for reliability and validity.
What are three ways geographers collect data?
Addressing those questions usually requires field observation and spatial sampling. Geographers interested in social patterns and processes also use archival research, interviewing and surveying techniques, and participant observation methods that are associated with the social sciences more generally.
What tools do geographers use to collect data?
A geographer's tools include maps, globes, and data. A map's purpose is to show locations of places on the earth. Maps also show where places are in relation to other places around them. A globe is a three-dimensional representation of the earth.
What 5 research methods do geographers use?
Terms in this set (5)Direct Obeservation. used to study the Earth and the patterns of human activities that take place on its surface.Mapping. cartography; maps allow a visual comparison between places and regions.Interviewing. ... Analyzing Statistics. ... Using Technology.
What tools and methods do geographers use?
Maps and GlobesTWO OR THREE DIMENSIONS. A globe is a three-dimensional representation of the earth. ... TYPES OF MAPS. The three types of maps are general reference maps, thematic maps, and navigational maps. ... SURVEYING. ... SATELLITES. ... GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS. ... GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) A familiar tool.
What are 3 types of geographic tools?
Geography Tools: Maps, GPS & GIS.
What are the research methods in geography?
According to Akinbode (1996) , research method in geography involves all the processes of field investigation, data collection, data processing and analysis, data classification and interpretation as well as tests of significance which are designed to establish the critical level of association among diverse geographic ...
How can geographers gather information without interviewing the entire population?
Because Geographers can gather scientific information about places by talking, observing, and researching a place's surroundings and population. They could also interview the people that make up the population of a place.
What are the sampling techniques used in geography research?
Sampling techniques in geography include random sampling, which involves the use of a grid, and systematic sampling, which is based on exact numbers and patterns. Stratified sampling should not be used unless the geographic area contains groups or clusters that are immensely different from one another.
Why do geographers use GIS?
Geographers use GIS to find relationships and trends in geographic data. These systems allow geographers to present data visually as maps, reports, and charts. For example, geographers can overlay aerial or satellite images with GIS data, such as population density in a given region, and create digital maps.
What do geographers study?
Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants. They also examine political or cultural structures and study the physical and human geographic characteristics of regions ranging in scale from local to global. Duties.
What is the average wage for geographers in 2020?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The median annual wage for geographers was $85,430 in May 2020. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Why do geographers need critical thinking skills?
Geographers need critical-thinking skills when doing research because they must choose the appropriate data, methods, and scale of analysis for projects. For example, after reviewing a set of population data, they may determine the implications of a particular development plan.
Why do geographers do fieldwork?
Many geographers do fieldwork to gather information and data. For example, geographers often make site visits to observe geographic features, such as the landscape and environment. Some geographers travel to the region they are studying, and sometimes that means working in foreign countries and remote locations.
How much will geographers decline in 2029?
Employment of geographers is projected to decline 1 percent from 2019 to 2029. Budget constraints are expected to reduce employment for geographers in federal government. However, governments and businesses will still need geographers to research topics such as natural hazards and the use of resources.
What is GISP certification?
The GIS Certification Institute offers the GIS Professional (GISP) certification for geographers. Candidates may qualify for certification through a combination of education, professional experience, and contributions to the profession, such as publications or participation in conferences.
What is the job of a geographer?
A geographer studies the earth and its land, features, and inhabitants. They also examine phenomena such as political or cultural structures as they relate to ge ography. Geographers study the physical or human geographic characteristics or both of a region, ranging in scale from local to global.
What is the purpose of using geographic information system?
Use geographic information system (GIS) technology to collect, analyze, and display data. Write reports and present research findings. Assist, advise, or lead others in using GIS and geographic data. Combine geographic data with data about a particular specialty, such as economics, the environment, health, or politics.
What is GIS data?
GIS allows them to present data visually as maps, reports, and charts. For example, a geographer can overlay aerial or satellite images with GIS data, such as population density in a given region, and create computerized maps.
What is the primary source of geographic information?
Primary sources of geographic information, especially the results of fieldwork performed by the students, are important in geographic inquiry. Fieldwork involves students conducting research in the community by distributing questionnaires, taking photographs, recording observations, interviewing citizens, and collecting samples.
What is the definition of "acquiring geographic information"?
The student knows and understands: Acquiring Geographic Information. 1. The criteria for evaluating the value and reliability of geographic information. Therefore, the student: A. Evaluates sources of geographic information for reliability, as exemplified by.
What is geographic knowledge?
Geographic Skill 2. Geographic information is any information connected to a location that includes data about physical and human characteristics or phenomena at any place on the planet. To answer geographic questions, students should start by gathering data from diverse sources in various ways to develop information that will inform their ...
Why is fieldwork important in geography?
Fieldwork helps arouse students’ curiosity and makes the study of geography more enjoyable and relevant. Fieldwork fosters active learning by enabling students to observe, ask questions, identify problems, and hone their perceptions of physical features and human activities.
Why are encyclopedias important?
Encyclopedias report information compiled from secondary sources and are important in some research situations. Being able to acquire geographic information enables students to engage in doing geography by mastering the techniques and skills necessary to gather and record geographic information and data from primary and secondary sources.
What should a researcher collect to prepare a quantitative and qualitative description?
They should compile and use primary and secondary information to prepare quantitative and qualitative descriptions. They should collect data from interviews, fieldwork, reference material, and digital resources. Internet-based sources for geographic information are increasingly accessible but must always be evaluated for reliability and validity.
What are secondary sources of information?
Typical secondary sources of information include texts, maps, statistics, photographs or imagery, video or multimedia, databases, newspapers, telephone directories, and government publications. Digital data may be highly specialized such as real-time data, physical and human statistical data, and remotely sensed data and images. ...
Collecting data
Data can be quantitative or qualitative. When fieldwork data is collected, it can be either primary or secondary.
Sampling
It's important to collect enough data to give a good picture of events. Any data collected should not be biased, for example, some younger people might think that skate parks improve their city, but some older people might prefer gyms or cafes, so ask a mixture of different ages to gain a balanced view.
Introduction
Coordinates
- In today’s world most spatial data is incorporated into GIS programs after being collected by GPS receivers. GPS use the term projection to refer to the coordinate system settings. It is suggested that the projection be set to lat/long (latitude / longitude)and that the values be recorded in decimal degrees. While there are many projection systems ...
Location and Mapping Extent
- Locationscan be defined as points or areas. It is important to make this distinction when collecting. While it is preferable that coordinates are collected for the exact location of each specimen, it is acceptable to collect coordinates for a general area. Points should describe exact locations and should give a measurement value (in kilometers or miles), a direction, and a featur…
Uncertainty
- A general spatial uncertainty for the whole collection should be reported in the metadata. When determining an uncertainty many issues must be considered. Considering the GPS coordinates’ errors, extent given for a collection, distance measurements (4.2 km vs. 4.25 km), and directional offsets (NE vs. NNE) among other factors a robust uncertainty measurement can be determined…
References
- The above information is adopted from the following resource and modified specifically for our purposes. For more information or in depth topics please consult the following source: Chapman, Arthur D. and John Wieczorek, eds. 2006. Guide to best practices for georeferencing. Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Copenhagen, [Denmark]. c2006, The Regents of the University o…
Field Checklist
- This is a general checklist to what you should do in the field, it is by no means exhaustive and for more information the best practices guide should be consulted. 1. Set datum to WGS84 (unless there is a best fit datum for your site) 2. Set projection to Lat/Long 3. Record values in decimal degrees 4. Turn on WAAS or DGPS if applicable 5. Wait for at least 4 satellites before recording …