Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
life, the limited private domestic space, and the strength of the
religious commitment.
For this kind of fi eldwork in particular there are important ethical
considerations. The interviewer needs to relate to interviewees in
sensitive ways; any notions of guidance or dominance should be
avoided; and the moral implications of the interaction should be
carefully monitored. In other words, the researcher must always
be aware of his or her own positionality. There is always a danger
that aspects of that positionality, whether it be, for example,
political, racial, or sexual, may infl uence the way in which fi ndings
are interpreted. Thus, the current importance of fi eldwork to
geography should not be underestimated, as aptly summarized by
an American geographer:
To me, fi eldwork is the heart of geography. … It renews and deepens
our direct experience of the planet and its diversity of lands, life
and cultures, immeasurably enriching the understanding of the
world that is geography's core pursuit and responsibility. … Without
fi eldwork, geography is second-hand reporting and armchair
analysis, losing much of its involvement with the world, its original
insight, its authority, its contributions for addressing local and
global issues, and its reason for being.
S. Stevens, 'Fieldwork as Commitment' (2001)
Maps and graphicacy
The cartographic tradition led to the nurturing of another
geographical skill, which has been labelled 'graphicacy'
(in contrast to literacy and numeracy). Mapmaking is a
specialized profession, but generations of geography students
have been taught the principles and applications of cartography
to a high level of competence. Field sketches offer another
example. A physical feature such as a hanging valley or system of
meanders can be clearly captured by fi eld sketches, as can fi eld
patterns or urban plans. Much of the data used by geographers,
