Methods in Physical Geography

Flashcards from lecture notes on physical geography methods.

Learning Objectives

Approaches to physical geography research methods and various scales of physical inquiry.

Role of Physical Geography

Understanding the planet, addressing issues like sustainability, critical interest in spatial patterns, and integrating the human and physical world.

Aristotle

Demonstrated that the Earth was spherical.

Eratosthenes

Developed models of the Earth using parallels and meridians.

Romans' Contribution to Geography

Used maps to support military expansion and had philosophical interest in the relations between humans and the environment.

Renaissance's Impact on Geography

Renewed interest in geographical knowledge and a willingness to test and refine theories.

Modern Science of Geography

Quantitative revolution, data revolution, spatial considerations, and temporal considerations related to changes over time.

Field-Based Physical Geography Experiment

Observation studies in the field and experiments in the field.

Lab-Based Physical Geography Experiment

Controlled experiments in the laboratory and quantitative models in a computer lab.

Natural experiment

Occurs when a natural event acts as an experimental treatment in an ecosystem.

Lab experiments

Allows more control over conditions and variables, but might create artificial conditions that are not relevant in nature.

Field Experiments

Many factors may be outside of the researcher's control, so the results might be difficult to interpret, but may provide better insight into how an experimental system functions naturally.

Spatial scales

Fine/broad.

Temporal scales

Short/long.

Hypothesis

A contestable conjecture about how something works.

Null hypothesis

A statement/idea that can be falsified/proved wrong.

Steps in the Scientific Method

Generate critical inquiry, formalize questions into a testable hypothesis, select methods of analysis, collect data, conduct experiments, and reject or accept the hypothesis.