10 replies to this topic

[MapLaTerre]

I've looked high and low in the acedemic literature for a definition of "cartographic analysis" with no avail. Many journal articles discuss conducting this type of analysis but do not define it. An example of this is a paper by Rossum and Lavin (2000) entitled "Where are the Great Plains? A cartographic analysis": the authors say they conducted a cartographic analysis but never describe exactly what this meant/entails. Furthermore, it seems that the term is used on a case by case basis. Help needed! There must be a good definition out there somewhere, I just can't find it!

Thanks in advance!

[frax]

Why does there have to be a clear definition?

[Jimbo]

Why does there have to be a clear definition?

There are individuals that need a clear explanation in order to process the information correctly, you see not everyone's brain works like that. But it doesn't make them dumb, it just means they learn differently.

[MapLaTerre]

Why does there have to be a clear definition?

Is there ever really a clear definition for anything?.......philosophy was never really my thing.......

I'm looking to support and justify using cartographic analysis in my research. Therefore, I'm looking for supportive background literature. A term like "cartographic analysis" requires a definition in my thesis because it is field-specific and a crucial part of my research. Perhapse I should re-word my request for a point in the right direction to an "all encompassing defintion".

[Hans van der Maarel]

Isn't it a fancy way of saying: "we looked at existing maps"?

[ELeFevre]

I've looked high and low in the acedemic literature for a definition of "cartographic analysis" with no avail. Many journal articles discuss conducting this type of analysis but do not define it. An example of this is a paper by Rossum and Lavin (2000) entitled "Where are the Great Plains? A cartographic analysis": the authors say they conducted a cartographic analysis but never describe exactly what this meant/entails. Furthermore, it seems that the term is used on a case by case basis. Help needed! There must be a good definition out there somewhere, I just can't find it!

Thanks in advance!

How about drafting a rough definition on what you think it means? In my mind, 'cartographic analysis' means, 'using a map'.

[Matthew Hampton]

In my mind "cartographic analysis" would entail very closely examining multiple maps and the cartographic constructs (elements) the cartographers used. This could entail scale, extent, figure-ground, colors, font choice, symbolization, etc.

I would use that term to also infer a 'cartographic review' (like a literary review), to include all the maps published during a certain time. Such that you could say "Carl Wheat performed an extensive cartographic analysis of Western American maps produced from 1540 to 1861."

[MapMedia]

One-off definitions are defined by their context, so you might email or phone the author and ask him/her.

IMHO, cartographic analysis refers to a study and analysis of maps, a geographic and cartographic study of maps of similar theme, not to be confused with 'spatial analysis'.

[Jean-Louis]

Matthew's definition sounds like the proper 'purist' use of the term one but I think it usually means just what Hans said. It could also mean evaluating an area as a mapping subject.
In fact , I think I will start using it myself on my invoices.

[MapLaTerre]

I guess I would suggest that 'cartographic analysis' involves looking critically at map effectiveness and veracity. At the same, this could include an analysis of a series of maps or a single map.

[Kartograph]

I think what the OP meant was more like what is covered in the academic lit under Map Use/Map Interpretation/ Map Analysis:

MUEHRCKE, P.C & MUEHRCKE, J.O. (1992): Map Use. Reading, Analysis, Interpretation, Madison.

Most larger libraries should have a copy, IIRC there´s a newer edition.

As a scientific method, the analysis of existing maps has a strong tradition, especially in Geography, Geomorphology and the likes. There surely is a book like this in English:



The title reads: Encyclopedia for the classification of the ~orography (literally forms of the landscape, including land use/land cover) with topographic maps.