What Is Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and How Is It

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The Answer is Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer-based programs used for cataloguing, storing, querying, analyzing, and displaying geospatial data. At its most basic level, GIS is about making maps, or spatial representations of reality that help us make sense of the physical and social world. We use mental maps to navigate our home and work environments, plan daily activities, and situate events that we learn about from friends, family, and news media. We combine these mental maps with online and mobile phone mapping to tap into almost limitless possibilities for using and sharing geographic information. However, the capabilities of GIS extend beyond merely creating maps to represent the world around us. As will be described and illustrated throughout this chapter, the true power of GIS is in connecting data to geography to provide solutions for solving problems and guiding human behavior.
GIS can be used to examine social environments and community processes, including community health assessments, mapping of community resources, and community development. Despite its potential, GIS remains largely underutilized in community research and evaluation. The underutilization of GIS may be due in part to its reputation as a purely quantitative tool, and also because it has traditionally been in the domain of geographers and has only become more prominent in the social sciences in the last few decades. While researchers tend to utilize GIS software to conduct spatial analyses that rely on quantitative geographical information, this approach is a limited conceptualization of what the technology has to offer in terms of generating new knowledge and influencing social change. Geographic information systems can utilize diverse types of information, such as photographs, narratives, and other types of ethnographic materials. In line with the increasing recognition that multiple methods of inquiry are often necessary to address complex community phenomena, GIS can incorporate both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to accommodate multiple views of the physical and social world.
GIS has also been underutilized due to perceptions that it is too difficult and expensive to be used by people without training or expertise. While this may have been true at one time, the work of such geographers as Sarah Elwood has led to the proliferation of participatory GIS, which encourages individuals and social groups to participate equally in the collection, analysis, and communication of spatial data. GIS technology has also become more user-friendly and capable of capturing and displaying a wider variety of data that is both relevant and important to diverse community stakeholders.

What Is Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and How Is It

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