Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods
Sefydliad Ymchwill Gymdeithasol ac Economaidd, Data a Dulliau Cymru
www.wiserd.ac.uk

Qualitative GIS: An Introduction

Dates: Thursday 3rd March 2011

Times: 9.30am to 1.00pm

Course Leader: Dr Stephen Burgess, WISERD Cardiff

Location: WISERD Training Room, 46 Park Place, Cardiff University

Overview

Qualitative GIS is an emerging, mixed-method and interdisciplinary research approach that is attracting interest across a range of disciplines. The early literature has highlighted the innovative nature of the Qualitative GIS approach to combining ‘qualitative’ and ‘quantitative’ spatial data and encouraging multiple epistemological approaches to spatial research. This includes an engagement with the social processes that help create places and the history of these processes as well as people’s perceptions of these processes and, consequently, of the places they inhabit.

Qualitative GIS may be of interest to those working in a broad range of fields, where it is important to understand what people feel about the places in which they live and work. This session will introduce the concept of Qualitative GIS, and outline its relationship to GIS (Geographical Information Systems). Examples drawn from the literature, and from our own work will be used alongside discussion and practical activities. The aim is to provide an overview of Qualitative GIS and no prior knowledge will be assumed so participants do not need to have had any experience of GIS.

By the end of the session, participants will:

  • be able to identify what Qualitative GIS is and how it differs from ‘traditional’ GIS
  • be able to identify some of the possibilities and challenges for the use of Qualitative GIS in research

Please note: this is not an introduction to GIS or the software associated with GIS.

A more detailed programme for the event can be found by clicking here.

Fee Information

Workshop fee per day:

UK Registered Postgraduate Student - £30
Staff at Any UK Higher Education Institution - £60
ESRC Funded Researcher - £60
Registered Charity - £60
Other - £220

All fees include event materials, lunch, morning and afternoon tea. They do not include travel and accommodation costs.

A booking form for this event can be found by clicking here.

For further information please contact WISERD.events@cardiff.ac.uk