1. The Geographic Method Global Geography 12

2. The Geographic Method A method of inquiry used by geographers to examine spatial relationships (how an object or event is located in space in relation to a reference object or event) Used to answer specific questions or solve problems about these kinds of relationships Generally follows five steps in a predetermined sequence

3. The 5 Steps of the Geographic Method 1.Ask appropriate questions 2.Collect and acquire geographic information 3.Organize, summarize, and display the geographic information 4.Analyze and interpret the data 5.Formulate reasonable answers

4. Step 1: Ask Appropriate Questions Ask appropriate questions about the feature or activity being studied Questions that may be asked are… Where is it? Why is it there? How is it arranged? What process led to its formation and location?

5. Step 2: Collect Geographic Information Collect and acquire geographic information that will help to answer these questions This information can be obtained via… Surveys Field studies Interviews Data-collection surveys

6. Step 3: Organize and Summarize Organize, summarize, and display the geographic information gathered This may be done by… Drawings maps Taking photos Placing statistics in tabular or graphic form

7. Step 4: Analyze and Interpret Data Analyze and interpret the data you have collected and summarized This may be done by… Analyzing patterns Making historical comparisons Projecting future conditions based on past trends Comparing and contrasting different situations

8. Step 5: Formulate Answers Formulate reasonable answers to the geographic questions based on your analysis and interpretation of the information gathered

9. Restaurant Case Study