A Primer in Scientific Geographic Research Terminology: Implications for Teaching Geography Majors

The major purpose of this paper is to (1) focus on the meaning of geographic research and (2) identify and elaborate upon the basic terms utilized within geographic research literature. Geographic research is the critical objective study, investigation and explanation of specific cultural and physical phenomenon. Transportation planners, economic planners, military personnel and others are heavily dependent upon geographic research to provide pertinent data they need to make tactical and strategic decisions. Specifically, geographic research is utilized in many diverse academic and non-academic organizations and agencies. As more data become available about the world, there will be more demand for quality basic and applied research. Basic research personnel attempt to acquire data through experimentation by describing and evaluating usefulness of theory for observation of new principles and laws. In short, basic researchers test, reformulate and extend theory. Applied researchers, on the other hand, seek to use theory to derive implications for practice. In other words, they attempt to solve or bridge a particular deficiency or gap in geographic knowledge. Another type of geographic research is the phenomenological approach, which aims to measure and evaluate geographical problems as "unique entities" in the context of the environment (Moriarty, 1981 ).