The Geographic Method
Global Geography 12
The Geographic Method
• A method of inquiry used by geographers to
examine spatial relationships (how an object
or event is located in space in relation to a
reference object or event)
• Used to answer specific questions or solve
problems about these kinds of relationships
• Generally follows five steps in a
predetermined sequence
The 5 Steps of the Geographic Method
1. Ask appropriate questions
2. Collect and acquire geographic information
3. Organize, summarize, and display the
geographic information
4. Analyze and interpret the data
5. Formulate reasonable answers
Step 1: Ask Appropriate Questions
• Ask appropriate questions about the feature
or activity being studied
• Questions that may be asked are…
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Where is it?
Why is it there?
How is it arranged?
What process led to its formation and location?
Step 2: Collect Geographic Information
• Collect and acquire geographic information
that will help to answer these questions
• This information can be obtained via…
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Surveys
Field studies
Interviews
Data-collection surveys
Step 3: Organize and Summarize
• Organize, summarize, and display the
geographic information gathered
• This may be done by…
• Drawings maps
• Taking photos
• Placing statistics in tabular or graphic form
Step 4: Analyze and Interpret Data
• Analyze and interpret the data you have
collected and summarized
• This may be done by…
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Analyzing patterns
Making historical comparisons
Projecting future conditions based on past trends
Comparing and contrasting different situations
Step 5: Formulate Answers
• Formulate reasonable answers to the
geographic questions based on your analysis
and interpretation of the information
gathered
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