Quantitative Human Geography Research Articles

Rethinking ‘causality’ in quantitative human geography

AbstractCausality is at the core of much contemporary discussion in social sciences, philosophy, and computer science—from the establishment of basic definitions of causality to developing methods for causal inference, this discussion is increasingly finding voice within geographical literature. However, geographers have long discussed (and differed) about the role “causality” plays in our work. We present a history of contemporary definitions of causality arising from philosophy and examine how these intellectual currents interact with past and present geographical thinking about causal relations. In particular, we focus on how new thinking about counterfactual causality can help re‐route inquiry around a well‐known impasse: law‐based causality in geography. In other words, while different perspectives around “laws” of geography exist, we argue that it is more productive to put aside these differences and find common ground in counterfactual causal thinking. To demonstrate, we outline new kinds of scholarship enabled by counterfactual causality and contemporary challenges that counterfactual causality faces in spatial analysis. Throughout, we refer interested readers to contemporary work on spatial causal inference and methods useful for scholars interested in analysing causal relationships in geographical systems.

Quantitative methods III: Strength in numbers?

In this third and final report on quantitative methods, I focus on academic community: what we do, what we call ourselves, and why this is a matter of importance for the entire discipline of geography, but especially quantitative human geographers. I first highlight the increasingly diverse ways in which quantitative methods community is produced and manifested, before turning to the shifting, ever-expanding, and overlapping names and labels used to define this group. I argue that, although there is ample evidence that the quantitative methods community is thriving, there is also a growing disconnect from the sub-discipline of quantitative human geography.

‘There is no formula for life and career’: A commentary on perspectives and experiences of early career quantitative human geographers

AbstractEarly career researchers (ECRs) encounter distinctive opportunities (and challenges) within the neoliberal academy. In this commentary, we reflect on issues common to ECR experiences in quantitative human geography. Our discussion is inspired by and develops conversations from a panel at the Royal Geographical Society‐Institute of British Geographers (RGS‐IBG) postgraduate forum, with panellists from across the subfield. While many aspects of the ECR experience transcend sub‐disciplinary boundaries, the quantitative subfield presents unique dynamics for ECRs to navigate. ECRs in quantitative geography are steeped in ‘data science’, which changes relations between academia and industry, with the growth of our field increasing the size and the scope of what ECRs might be expected to know and do. Bringing together reflections from the panel, we highlight the variation in pathways experienced by ECRs, reflecting on opportunities, uncertainties, and mentorship, in the hope of offering insights and advice for prospective and current ECRs and their mentors. This commentary reflects on the perspectives and experiences of early career quantitative human geographers, placing significant emphasis on opportunities, uncertainty, and mentorship, and the overall diversity of pathways available to other early career quantitative human geographers.

Quantitative methods II: Big theory

In this second report on quantitative methods, I consider the foundational triumvirate that underpins the sub-discipline: data, methods, and theory. I argue that, although ‘big data’ and, more recently, ‘big code’ may have captured the limelight, theory is invaluable and should not be disregarded. Showcasing the integral role of theory in quantitative human geography, I identify three kinds of useful theory (old school, enduring and conceptual) and, along the way, highlight beneficial ways in which they contribute to our thinking about data and methods. Throughout, I emphasize that theory is a crucial component of contemporary and future quantitative methods development.

Modelling spatial processes in quantitative human geography

ABSTRACT We discuss the nature of processes relating to human behaviour and how to model such processes when they vary over space. In so doing, we describe the role of local modelling and how the bandwidth parameter, a component of multiscale geographically weighted regression, can inform on the spatial scale over which processes are relatively constant. To do this, we translate properties of spatial data, such as heterogeneity and spatial dependency into the realm of spatial processes. We argue that the modelling of spatially varying processes has important ramifications for how we see the world.

Who Counts? Gender, Gatekeeping, and Quantitative Human Geography

How academic disciplines are represented and reproduced is a charged issue. In geography in particular, the challenge is not only who counts, especially with regard to gender and other factors, but also how the boundaries of the discipline are drawn and which subfields are acknowledged. This article contributes to both aspects of the discussion by extending recent research on gender, internationalization, and academic gatekeeping to additional subfields of human geography. In particular, we focus on the demographic structure and international diversity of the editorial teams of flagship quantitative geography journals. We find that women are underrepresented in our sample, with shares ranging from 23.1 to 43.5 percent—numbers unfortunately comparable to many other geography journals. We also find that career stage is an important factor and that our sample is more international and less Anglophone than the disciplinary norm. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of attending to issues of inclusive gatekeeping in geography and elsewhere.

Geographical Analysis at Midlife

In this commentary, I reflect on geographical analysis as it enters middle age, focusing on what I perceive to be central elements—for both field and journal—of past growth and development, as well as future robustness and potential. My particular interest lies in evaluating “geographical analysis” as it stands today, taking the journal as one proxy for the larger field, and placing this within a wider context of quantitative human geography. As with any set of perspectives, mine are idiosyncratic and the product of a particular experience at a particular time. To make my case, I draw on manuscript citation histories from Geographical Analysis, my interpretation of recent developments in the discipline, and of course the insights of others who have plowed these pastures before me. I close by offering some thoughts about the future directions of our field and our journal.

Longitudinal life course perspectives on housing inequality in young adulthood

AbstractIn many countries, there is growing public concern about the increasing difficulties that young people face in obtaining secure, affordable, high‐quality, and well‐located housing. Much of the analysis and discussion focuses on the ways in which intergenerational housing inequalities have deepened over time as young adults' fortunes have deteriorated, most obviously through declining access to homeownership. In this review, we showcase how researchers are harnessing life course theories and rich longitudinal data sets, exploiting longitudinal modelling techniques, and developing new geographical data linkages to enhance our knowledge of a broader range of housing inequalities in young adulthood. We argue that incorporating these longitudinal perspectives more fully into geographical research and teaching will foster an enriched pluralistic model of quantitative human geography that is characterised by collaboration, critical engagement with policy issues, and sensitivity to the strengths and challenges of working in an integrated fashion with varied forms of numerical data.

Quantitative methods II: How we moved on – Decades of change in philosophy, focus and methods

The first of these three reports reprised human geography’s theoretical and quantitative revolutions’ origins, covering the philosophy, focus and methods that dominated their early years. Over the subsequent decades the nature of work categorised as quantitative human geography changed very considerably – in philosophy, focus and methods. This second report summarises those changes, highlighting the main features of the extensive volume of work published over the last five decades, as a prelude to the final report that will focus on the contemporary nature of quantitative human geography and its likely futures.

Understanding (un)certainty in human geographic quantitative spatial analysis – commentary to Tulumello

This commentary reflects uncertainty in human geographic quantitative spatial analysis within the context of Simone Tulumello’s essay (in this issue). Epistemologically, positivism, logical empiricism and behaviourism must be understood as historical stages in the evolution of quantitative human geography, even though the analytical legacy is clear. A more recognisable quantitative methodological framework, related to post-millennial human geographic studies, seeks sufficient evidence, which supports or refutes a particular line of thought. In general, the consideration of uncertainty and error is deeply tied to the methodological knowledge in quantitative analysis. Regardless of methodology or discipline, however, the risks of reporting over-certainty or clear misconduct are essential ethical questions. Uncertainty is linked also to the limits of conceptualisation and information catchment, but robust information revealing otherwise-hidden patterns is often highly valuable.

Quantitative methods I

Reproducible quantitative research is research that has been documented sufficiently rigorously that a third party can replicate any quantitative results that arise. It is argued here that such a goal is desirable for quantitative human geography, particularly as trends in this area suggest a turn towards the creation of algorithms and codes for simulation and the analysis of Big Data. A number of examples of good practice in this area are considered, spanning a time period from the late 1970s to the present day. Following this, practical aspects such as tools that enable research to be made reproducible are discussed, and some beneficial side effects of adopting the practice are identified. The paper concludes by considering some of the challenges faced by quantitative geographers aspiring to publish reproducible research.

Developments in Quantitative Human Geography, Urban Modelling, and Geographic Information Science

Developments in Quantitative Human Geography, Urban Modelling, and Geographic Information Science

Quantitative Human Geography: Are We Turning Full Circle?

Geographical AnalysisVolume 40, Issue 3 p. 332-335 Quantitative Human Geography: Are We Turning Full Circle? Ron Johnston, Ron Johnston School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K.Search for more papers by this author Ron Johnston, Ron Johnston School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K.Search for more papers by this author First published: 16 July 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-4632.2008.00730.xCitations: 6 Ron Johnston, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K.e-mail: r.johnston@bristol.ac.uk Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume40, Issue3July 2008Pages 332-335 RelatedInformation

The study of process in quantitative human geography

The paper identifies various uses of the word « process » in human geography : process as sequence, as mechanism, and as disaggregation : it is used in yet other ways by structuralists. The etymological, philosophical and social scientific backgrounds to these uses are outlined : a working definition of process study in human geography is offered and illustrated.