Geographic information science as a multidisciplinary and multiparadigmatic field |
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| Authors: | Thomas Blaschke Helena Merschdorf |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Geoinformatics – Z_GIS, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Str. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austriathomas.blaschke@sbg.ac.at;3. Department of Geoinformatics – Z_GIS, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Str. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria |
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| Abstract: | Despite the fact that the field of GIScience has been around for two decades, there is still little agreement as to the exact contents and boundaries of the field. Many authors have dedicated several publications concerned with defining the field, yet little consensus has been reached. Because of the highly dynamic nature of the discipline, new areas are constantly added and rigid borders may have a constraining influence on the field. On the contrary, one agreed part of the many GIScience definitions is the search for general principles, but principles for what? Can we define one field or discipline or all potential fields using geospatial information? Probably not. Therefore, rather than attempting to demarcate exact boundaries for GIScience as a discipline or a multidisciplinary field in order to prove its respectability, we herein attempt to analyze the contents of such a dynamic field on the basis of scientific literature and to assess the multidisciplinary and multiparadigmatic nature of GIScience. Such a discussion is not purely of academic nature, but also bears implications beyond academic discourse, in terms of external scientific funding and research grants. We question whether there is a “dominant” paradigmatic approach in GIScience and identify a need for adopting a multiparadigmatic view to accommodate the multifaceted nature of space, spatial representations, and the societal implications of geospatial information. |
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| Keywords: | GIScience paradigm multiparadigmatic GIS GIScience trends |
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