QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION merits and demerits .pptx

Quantitative methods its classification assumptions etc

1. QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION IN GEOGRAPHY B eyond Maps: A Mathematical Odyssey into the Heart of Geographic Phenomena PRESENTED BY PRAKASH CHANDRA ROLL NO – 43 (P.U) UNIV. DEPT. OF GEOGRAPHY

2. CONTENTS QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION : AN INTRODUCTION QUANTITATIVE GEOGRAPHERS OBJECTIVES CRISIS IN GEOGRAPHY QUANTITATIVE TOOL ASSUMPTIONS BASIS OF THE QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION CONTRIBUTIONS OF QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION METHODS USED IN Q.R MODELS DEVELOPED UNDER Q.R PHASES OF QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION PROS CONS CONCLUSION

3. Q.R : An Introduction The Quantitative revolution was a paradigm shift that sought to develop a more rigorous and systematic methodology for the discipline of geography. It refers to the era in 1950s and 1960s, when the subject adjusted to a more scientific approach. The term Quantification in geography refers to the adoption and application of various numerical, mathematical, statistical tools, totally known as quantitative methods. Statistical and mathematical tools were and adopted and leading a radical transformation of spirit in Anglo-American geography and gained much momentum after 1950s world wide. In the history of geography, the quantitative revolution was one of the four major turning-points of modern geography – the other three being environmental determinism, regional geography and critical geography).

4. QUANTITATIVE GEOGRAPHERS I. Burton was the first geographical thinker to introduce the concept of “Quantitative Revolution”in geography Hagget and Haggerstrand of Lund university further propagated it. Stewart gave the Gravity Model of Migration which was a remarkable work in this field. However, the majority thinkers in Harvard university at that time believed that Geography is not a universal discipline. This pushed the field of geography to backseat.

5. OBJECTIVES To change geography from being a descriptive subject to a scientific subject. To explain and interpret the spatial pattern of geographical phenomenon in rational and objective manner. Usage of mathematical language and terminology in Geography for example Koppen Classification of Climates . To make precise statement about locational order. Creating mappable patterns of landslide zones or earthquake zones. Creating models for optimal location of industries using computers, maps and laws of physics. The quantitative revolution came in geography to modernize the learning process in geography and make use of geography in human development activities.

6. CRISIS IN GEOGRAPHY During the 1950s there was a crisis in geography because of the following reasons: Earlier, The study geography was limited only to the description of earth surface. The big question was, now we had studied the earth’s surface, what will be next? In 1948, Harward University closed down its geography department due to the limited scope of study in geography. The importance of geography was being questioned. Geography was merely descriptive in nature and the use of statistics, data, mathematics,etc were nearly absent. Most of the geographical theories was borrowed from other sublects such as: Malthusian Theory Of Population Nebular Hypothesis Theory Of The Origin And Formation Of Solar System

7. QUANTITATIVE TOOL The Following Image Explains The Tools Used In The Quantitative Revolution:

8. ASSUMPTIONS Economic man – Man is considered as rational element who always tries to maximize profit. Rational man- Man chooses and decide on the basis of scientific information. Rational man is somebody who has access to all information and can also process all information. Perfect competition- Fair system with no exploitation and no surplus profit Isotropic surface- The geographical area is an isotropic surface means there is no such physical barrier as mountains and oceans. Man is defined as an ideal man who is not influenced by subjective information and decision making. There is no place for some individual and social values in a model like culture, belief, custom, attitude, traditions, choice, religious values,and social values.

9. BASIS OF THE QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION POSITIVISM- Scientific study of Social world FUNCTIONALISM- A theory about the nature of mental states. SCHAEFER VIEWS – Geography is science of studying patterns of distribution of phenomena. “Spatial science approach”

10. CONTRIBUTIONS OF Q.R IOWA School – It promoted the use of mathematics in geography.(Schaefer) Wisconsin School – It promoted the use of statistics based modelling. Washington School – It focused more on location studies. Vienna School – (Lund school) Haggerstrand developed diffusion of innovation model (Time-space geography) Development of Social physics – which was use of principles and methods of physics for social sciences. Ex- Gravity Laws.

11. METHODS USED IN Q.R Locational Analysis - It includes spatial analysis by applying statistical and mathematical tools. Eg. Weber’s Locational Model, Von Thunen’s Agricultural Model. Spatial Analysis - It is the Study of Earth as a Space Geometry. It includes measurements & Divisions of space and man became a point on Surface.It means Geometrical analysis, the study of distance, the geometrical shape . System Analysis - It is the study of various functional components of a system and their interrelationships. Eg. In Central Place Theory, the relationship between various settlements at various hierarchical levels

12. MODELS DEVELOPED UNDER Q.R The following are some geographical models which come into importance during the quantitative revolution: Christaller model of central place theory Weber;’s Industrial location theory Von Thunen Crop intensity model Rank size rule Primate city concept The gravity model of migration

13. PHASES OF QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION

14. PROS Orderly and rational descriptions and interpretations. Accuracy and precision in research and analysis. Enriching the subject with modern tools. Time saving. Resource and finance saving. Free from bias and prejudices. Easy to understand and calculate. Accepted world wide.

15. CONS Damaged the identity of geography as a “ social sciences”. Consideration of man as a “ passive agent ”. Over excessive and unnecessary applications of quantitative tools. Too much quantification in the concepts creates misleading. Create a gap between “ have and have not ”. Unavailability of resources in universities of developing world. Difficulty setting up a research model. Negligence of social and humanistic key points like religion, culture, customs, beliefs and traditions According to Marxists, it served only capitalist purposes and is wasteful and exploitative It primarily developed in Europe/ Usa and has over generalizations.They are not applicable in different national and cultural contexts.

16. Q&A Q. When Quantitative Geography experienced a resurgence and what was the primary motivation for it. Ans. During the 1990s, Quantitative geography experienced a resurgence. The primary motivation for the resurgence was the expansion of geotechnical applications, such as Geographic information system (GIS), The Global Positioning System(GPS) and remote sensing and the growing dominance of Geo Techniques

17. CONCLUSION The Quantitative Revolution in geography catalyzed a pivotal transformation by prioritizing empirical methods and mathematical models. Despite facing criticism for potential reductionism, it significantly advanced spatial analysis and research methodologies. Its enduring impact is evident in the continued application of quantitative techniques, shaping how geographers comprehend and interpret the intricacies of spatial phenomena in our globally interconnected environment.

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