emergence of geographical information science

7/27/2019 Emergence of Geographical Information Science

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Shadrack Kipchirchir Kimutai

Moi University

11/4/2012

EMERGENCE OF GEOGRAPHIC

INFORMATION SYSTEM AS A

SCIENCE


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Introduction

A number of definitions have been brought forward to define geographical information science. The

simplest of these definitions defining it as a science behind geographical information systems, which in

turn contains technology, people, softwares, hardwares and geospatial data. Geographical information

science(GIScience) is at times referred to as geomatics and builds and organizes knowledge and

information from a photogrammetry, geodesics and cartography to form explainable and testable

information regarding their respective observations. Other definitions have been brought forward various

researchers for example Mark(2000) defines geographic information science as the basic research field

that seeks to re-define geographic concepts and their use in the context of geographic information

systems(GIS's).

Factors that led to emergence of GIScience

Geographical information science spans back to the early days of man. Early humans discovered the art of

cartography in an attempt to represent and understand their surrounding environment better. This was

through raw sketches on the walls of the caves they lived in or on the soft soil. As time advanced, these

simple sketches were transferred to portable materials like the stone, papyrus and skin and later to paper

and eventually to computers. Over this time, demand of accurate, up to date information and

incorporation of multidimensional data have made cartographic methods complex and dependent on other

technologies such as ICTs. Unlike cartography, photogrammetry is rather a new field in science which

emerged with the advent of photography and has been absorbed into the greater family of geographical

information science. This is one of the methods through which cartographers use in generating

topographical maps. It involves usage of specialized cameras built into specialized planes or low orbit

satellites such as Landsat 2 to obtain a mosaic photograph (geospatial data) of the land from which

different layers of the geographical landscape can be deduced. Since the geographical structure of the

earth is complex there is a need for a form of coordinate system to be put in place. This coordinate system

is referred to as geodesic and includes the latitudes and longitudes. All these merge to into cartography

and related fields and get processed by information systems to relay information which is valuable to the

user.

Geographical information science as any science tries to answer a number of questions that arise from the

use of GIS i.e. the science behind geographical information technology, people, GIS softwares and

hardwares and lastly geospatial data.

Therefore GIS addresses the following:-


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1. Representation of the complex geographical features that make up earth such as how these

features are captured and represented in a computing device.

2. Under this focus, this science aids in understanding fundamental considerations that will aid a

user of a GIS to know where and how to sample. It also aids in defining the appropriate data

formats to be employed.

3. This science also aids in selecting appropriate representation of the geospatial data and helps the

user to know to the accuracy required by the representation. Accuracy in this aspect covers

predictions, representation and also decision based on the representation. This also addresses

data since the interest of minimizing its volume thus maximizing the speed of compatibility of

systems handling this data clashes with improving the accuracy of the representation. Another

factor that this science addresses under this point is the compatibility of the representation to

various individuals and how individuals may wish the representation to be.

4. After having a representation, the next challenge that the science addresses is the assessment of a

representation to make sure its appropriate. This includes measure its accuracy of a given

representation hence uncertainty and presenting them in a way that its meaningful to the end

user. This also addresses how such information is to be presented in a way that it can easily be

understood.

5. Another important factor that this science focuses on is the Human GIS interaction. The

Geographical information systems are complex softwares. Thus, there is need for the

underlying complexity to be abstracted from the user. This science aids in studying ways which

the GIS can be made user friendly i.e. it addresses questions such as How can individual

representation be made to suit users?

6. Another fundamental backbone of this science is studying how geographical Data can be

handled with ease. Bearing in mind that this data spans over various dimensions. Therefore, this

science addresses appropriate geospatial data storage and retrieval techniques. It also aids in

providing the knowledge required to transfer data from different GIS.

7. This science also addresses how the GIS can adapt to the every changing field that is computing.

In that it addresses questions such as how the GIS can take advantage of the present

technological advances and improve on its weaknesses.


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Mark , D. M Geographic information science :Critical issues in an emerging

cross-disciplinary research domain Journal of the Urban and Regional Information

Systems Association, 2000 12(1):4554.

T. Sutton, O. Dassau, M. Sutton A Gentle Introduction to GIS Bhisho, University of Eastern

Cape, 2009

emergence of geographical information science

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