The Method of Geography

Geography as a integrative discipline Topics covered in geography can be looked at from many different backgrounds Topics covered in geography can be looked at from many different backgrounds For example the study of acid rain can be studied by biology, chemistry or economics For example the study of acid rain can be studied by biology, chemistry or economics It is the geographers job to blend all of these studies together to form a integrative discipline It is the geographers job to blend all of these studies together to form a integrative discipline

Geographers look at the world in 3 different ways… 1. As a distinct physical body called earth (the planet as a whole) 2. Interconnected physical, biological and chemical environments 3. The place where human beings live

Geographic Method Geographers are able to solve different geographical problems using this method Geographers are able to solve different geographical problems using this method It is a series of steps used to analyze a situation to find the best possible solution It is a series of steps used to analyze a situation to find the best possible solution

1. Ask appropriate questions about the problem being studied - Where is it? Why is it happening? How is it arranged? What process lead to its formation and location? 2. Collect and acquire geographic info that will help to answer these questions - Through field studies, surveys, interviews, data collection 3. Organize, summarize and display the geographic info collected - Drawing maps, taking photos, making tables

4. Analyze and interpret you have collected and summarized - analyze patterns, historical comparisons, projecting future conditions, comparing and contrasting different solutions - analyze patterns, historical comparisons, projecting future conditions, comparing and contrasting different solutions 5. Formulate a reasonable answer to the geographic question based on your analysis and interpretation of the information gathered

6 Concepts of Geography 1. Location - Where something happens - Can be very specific to very general (eg. Latitude and longitude coordinates to east of Bangkok) 2. Region - A grouping on information into a manageable size - An area of land that has consistent, easily recognizable features (eg. Costal region, mountainous regions) - Can be defined by cultural traits - Scale and size of region will vary with study (eg. Annapolis Valley vs. whole NS)

1. Spatial Patterns - Many things geographers study can be found in more than one region of the world. This is called spatial distribution - Geographers want to know if these distributions for spatial patterns - Eg. Location and intensity of air pollution- Pattern 1- prevailing winds will push the pollution in one direction making the effects of pollution greater in that direction than in the opposite. Pattern 2- the amount of pollution will decrease as the distance from the source increases- distance decay theory

4. Spatial Interaction - an event in one location can lead to a change in another location some distance away - eg. An oil spill will effect not only the water it spilled in but may leak to other waters in the area - spatial interactions is not always international, it can be on a local scale 5. Human/ Environment Interactions - some spatial interactions can be made from humans on the enviro or vise versa - usually only on a local level - eg. A factory releasing harmful chemicals into the enviro or a tornado passing through a community

6. Culture - the customs and world views of a particular people - will effect the way people view the world and the issues involving the world - culture can be regional or international (eg. The differences between rural and city dwellers in NS or the differences b/w Canadian culture and African culture)