Qualitative Geographic Information Systems

Abstract

Qualitative geographic information systems (GIS) is a term representing diverse attempts to integrate qualitative data into existing GIS programs. Three common approaches are identified in the literature: (1) qualitative research projects that benefit from the data analysis and geographical representation strengths of GIS; (2) quantitative projects using GIS that benefit from the contextualizing and explanatory strengths of incorporating some qualitative research and data; and (3) research projects that were planned from the start using mixed methods, integrating the strengths of various methods, and allowing them to complement, contradict, or confirm each other. Because of these characteristics, qualitative GIS projects are particularly important in research focused on context, processes, relations, and explanation for why phenomena happen where they do. Qualitative GIS is also well suited to participatory and critical social research in which disempowered social groups construct alternate ‘truths’ to counter-map on the mainstream status quo. Rapid technology advances are fostering ever-quicker combinations of spatially referenced data with other forms and sources of information and different software systems are increasingly becoming compatible, all of which generate new possibilities and practices for integrating qualitative data and GIS.