importance of quantitative research in geography

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In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Quantitative Methods in Human Geography

Introduction, general overviews.

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Future Directions for Quantitative Methods and Spatial Analysis

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Quantitative Methods in Human Geography by Suzanne Davies Withers LAST REVIEWED: 26 February 2013 LAST MODIFIED: 26 February 2013 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199874002-0053

The term “quantitative research” refers to the systematic scientific investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships, by using statistical methods. It includes the analysis of numerical spatial data, the development of spatial theory, and the constructing and testing of mathematical models of spatial processes. As geographers know, spatial analysis is very important. The aim of spatial analysis is to understand differences across space rather than regularities. Quantitative methods have been an integral part of human geography since the quantitative revolution of the 1950s. Quantitative methods in the early 21st century are vastly more sophisticated than their earlier counterparts. Since the early 1990s, in particular, the interest in georeferenced data and the need to understand it have led to an enormous field of spatial analysis. By the late 1990s, the field of spatial analysis had matured to the point where the methods of spatial analysis served as fundamental research techniques in a variety of disciplines, including geography, ecology, environmental studies, epidemiology, regional science, sociology, and urban planning. The quantitative methods of yesteryear have given way to a complex field of spatial analysis that serves as a unifying methodology for social science in general.

The breadth of quantitative methods and spatial analysis is vast. Consequently, very few articles are available that provide an overview of the field in general. Murray 2010 provides a traditional account of quantitative methods in geography, in a paper prepared for the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Regional Science . Kwan 2010 presents an overview of methods papers published in the last one hundred years in the Annals of the Association of American Geographers , but quantitative methods is a subfield of the larger history that Kwan describes. Goodchild, et al. 2000 makes a strong case for spatial analysis integrating the social sciences. This article is based on a National Science Foundation (NSF) infrastructure grant proposal. The funding of this grant led to the Center for Spatially Integrated Social Sciences (CSISS), the collaboration of many spatial scholars, and the dissemination of spatial statistical methods and materials. Goodchild, et al. 2000 provides a sense of the progress made in the field of spatial analysis. Goodchild and Janelle 2004 provides very informative chapters on a range of substantive fields in the social sciences for which spatial science has become integral. The volume conveys the breadth of spatial analysis throughout the social sciences. A number of handbooks provide an exceptional overview of the breadth of the field, each chapter addressing an important avenue of research. For the intermediate to advanced level, Fischer and Getis 2010 offers a broad collection of papers on spatial analysis by leading scholars in the field. At a more accessible level, Fotheringham and Rogerson 2009 is a superb collection in this wonderfully systematic volume that includes chapters on spatial data, the geographic information system (GIS), geovisualization, spatial data mining, spatial autocorrelation, the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP), spatial weights, spatial interpolation, spatial sampling, statistical inference, fuzzy sets, geographically weighted regression, spatial regression, spatial microsimulation, spatial pattern dynamics, geocomputation, spatial interaction tools, challenges, and the future status of spatial analysis.

Fischer, Manfred M., and Arthur Getis, eds. Handbook of Applied Spatial Analysis: Software Tools, Methods, and Applications . Berlin: Springer, 2010.

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-03647-7

Wonderful collection of accomplished contributing authors. Reads like a “who’s who” of spatial analysis. Handbook includes ten chapters on spatial analysis software, six on spatial statistical methods, seven on spatial econometrics, three on analysis of remotely sensed data, and nine on applications in numerous fields. Provides an excellent breadth of the field of spatial analysis for intermediate to advanced levels.

Fotheringham, A. Stewart, and Peter A. Rogerson, eds. The SAGE Handbook of Spatial Analysis . London: SAGE, 2009.

This superior, comprehensive handbook provides a retrospective and prospective account of spatial analysis. If only one reference source is used, this is the one to choose. Superb, extensive bibliographies accompany chapters by leading scholars in the field. Provides important breadth and depth of spatial analysis in geographic research and more.

Goodchild, Michael F., Luc Anselin, Richard P. Appelbaum, and Barbara H. Harthorn. “Toward Spatially Integrated Social Science.” International Regional Science Review 23.2 (2000): 139–159.

Spatially integrated social science could be called the perspective that launched a thousand ships. This article details the significance of space and place in the social sciences, including business and networks, community studies, criminal justice, environmental change, health and disease, social and economic inequality, and urban studies. A call to integrate and disseminate spatial knowledge. Available online for purchase or by subscription.

Goodchild, Michael F., and Donald G. Janelle, eds. Spatially Integrated Social Science . New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.

Twenty-one chapters representing applications of spatial analysis at four scales: individual and household levels, neighborhood-level analysis, regional-level analysis, and multiscale spatial perspectives. Material is a little dated, but chapters provide excellent overviews of the potential of spatial methodologies in specific topic areas, ranging from residential mobility to crime, business, and economic policy.

Kwan, Mei-Po. “A Century of Method-Oriented Scholarship in the Annals .” Annals of the Association of American Geographers 100.5 (2010): 1060–1075.

DOI: 10.1080/00045608.2010.523341

A light read. Commissioned for the 100th anniversary of the Annals , this article provides a thorough historical account of the contribution and variation in quantitative methods over time. Important developmental perspective for quantitative methods and spatial analysis within the discipline. Of note, tables 2 and 3 list most frequently cited methods papers. Available online for purchase or by subscription.

Murray, Alan T. “Quantitative Geography.” Journal of Regional Science 50.1 (2010): 143–163.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9787.2009.00642.x

Very traditional conception of quantitative methods. Reviews descriptive statistical measures (mean, variance, higher-ordered moments, and correlation), classic statistical models (regression, analysis of variance, principal components, factor analysis, and multidimensional scaling), nonparametric approaches, and spatial statistical subareas: point pattern analysis, spatial autocorrelation, spatial statistical models, and exploratory spatial data analysis—techniques unique in quantitative geography. Available online for purchase or by subscription.

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[81.177.182.154]
81.177.182.154

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9787.2009.00642.x
Corpus ID: 127919804

Quantitative Geography

Alan T. Murray
Published 2010
Geography, Mathematics, Computer Science
Philosophy & Methodology of Economics eJournal

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7 main objectives of quantitative revolution in geography.

importance of quantitative research in geography

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Some of the main objectives of the quantitative revolution in geography were as under:

Geography for more than two hundred years was confronted with the problems of generalization and theory-building.

In all other physical and social sciences theory-building has a long tradition. After the Second World War, geographers, especially those of the developed countries, realized the significance of using mathematical language rather than the language of literature in the study of geography.

Consequently, empirical descriptive geography was discarded and greater stress was laid on the formulation of abstract models. Mathematical and abstract models need rigorous thinking and use of sophisticated statistical techniques. The diffusion of statistical techniques in geography to make the subject and its theories more precise is known as the ‘quantitative revolution’ in geography.

Traditionally, geography was considered to be a description of the earth surface, but in due course of time its definition and nature changed. Now, it is concerned with providing accurate, orderly, and rational descriptions and interpretations of the variable character of the earth surface. In the words of Yeats, “geography can be regarded as a science concerned with the rational development, and testing of theories that explain and predict the spatial distribution and location of various characteristics on the surface of the earth”. In order to achieve this objective and to obtain the real picture of a region, geographers began to use and apply quantitative tools and techniques to which qualitative geography was opposed, especially till the 1960s.

Thus, the most obvious change brought about by the quantitative revolution is the change of methods and techniques. After this revolution, quantitative techniques and general system theory have been used quite extensively in geography. The new electronic devices have made possible the use of complex mathematical computations never before attempted.

Quantitative Revolution:

The application of statistical and mathematical techniques, theorems and proofs in understanding geographical systems is known as the ‘quantitative revolution’ in geography. Statistical methods were first introduced into geography in the early 1950s (Burton, 1963). Consisting mainly of descriptive statistics, there was also some attempt at hypotheses testing using, for example, chi-square. Bivariate Regression Analysis followed shortly but it was not until the 1960s that the General Linear Model was fully explored. It was I. Burton who published a research paper, ‘The Quantitative Revolution and Theoretical Geography’ in the Canadian Geographer (7: pp.151-62) in 1963.

The statistical methods are employed in geography for the generating and testing hypotheses using empirical data, whereas the mathematical techniques and theorems are used for deriving models from a set of initial abstract assumptions. In other words, statistical methods are used to estimate, and test the significance of, various parameters associated with a given mathematical model such as the distance decay and gravity models.

There has been confusion among the geographers and the public mind about the nature and social relevance of geography, especially after the Second World War. The status of geography as a university discipline was under discussion. It was also a topic of debate that what should be taught as geography at various stages of the educational processes. In 1948, James Conant, President of the Harvard University, had reportedly come to the conclusion that “geography is not a university subject”.

The Department of Geography of Harvard University was closed soon after and the discipline of geography was gradually eased out in many of the private universities of U.S.A. The continual threat of departmental closure or staff reduction also lead to frantic search in American universities for new ideas and research programmes. This resulted into the development of the ‘spatial sciences school’, also called ‘quantitative revolution’ in geography.

The last three decades have been characterized by an almost continuous debate among human geographers concerning the philosophy, nature and methodology of geography. Moreover, the geographers of the post-Second World War suffered from a complex that they did not have standard theories, models and laws like that of other social and biological sciences.

Consequently, their efforts and researches were not considered of much social relevance. In order to overcome these complexes and to put the subject on a sound theoretical footing, geographers started using quantitative techniques to interpret the organization of space, to generalize and to formulate their own theories and models about the man and environment relationship.

The main objectives of the quantitative revolution in geography were as under:

1. To change the descriptive character of the subject (geo + graphy) and to make it a scientific discipline;

2. To explain and interpret the spatial patterns of geographical phenomena in a rational, objective and cogent manner;

3. To use mathematical language instead of the language of literature, like ‘After in the Koppen’s classification of climate which stands for the ‘tropical rainforests’;

4. To make precise statements (generalizations) about locational order;

5. To test hypotheses and formulate models, theories and laws for estimations and predictions;

6. To identify the ideal locations for the various economic activities so that the profit may be maximized by the resource users; and

7. To provide geography a sound philosophical and theoretical base, and to make its methodology objective and scientific.

In order to achieve these objectives, the preachers of quantitative techniques stressed on field surveys for the collection of data and empirical observations.

In the formulation of models and theories they assumed:

1. Man is a rational (economic) person who always tries to optimize his profits.

2. Man has infinite knowledge of his space (environment and resources).

3. They assumed ‘space’ as an isotropic surface.

4. There is no place for the normative questions (questions about social values) in scientific research and objective interpretation of the geographical reality.

5. They assumed that normative questions, like cultural values, beliefs, attitudes, customs, traditions, likes and dislikes, prejudice, and aesthetic values have no place in geographical research and scientific explanation of geographical patterns.

Disadvantages of Application of Quantitative Techniques in Geographical Studies
Development of Geography in the Recent Period

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25 QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION IN GEOGRAPHY

Dr. Taruna Bansal

1. Introduction

In the 1950s and 1960s, a revolutionary change described as “ quantitative revolution ” occurred in the discipline of geography. It replaced the ‘idiographic’ approach based on areal differentiation by ‘nomothetic’ one, which had its roots in the search for models of spatial structure and phenomenon. The quantitative revolution led the basis of geography as a spatial science that dealt with the spatial analysis of phenomena that existed on the earth surface. In simpler words, it gave geography a scientific vision through the application of methodology rooted in statistical methods. Some of the elements of positivism, which had previously been not accepted at some point in time, were now accepted open-handedly. In the words of Burton (1963) this school had set out to discover universals, to build models and to establish methods and theoretical bases on which geographical realities could be erected.

Traditionally, geography was a discipline that studied and described the surface of the Earth, but in due course of time, its definition and nature have changed. It was now related to providing accurate, systematic, rational descriptions and explanations of the variations in the geographical phenomenon that occurred over the Earth’s surface. The most obvious change has occurred due to the quantitative revolution that brought changes in the methods and techniques used to explain the geographical phenomenon in a spatial framework.

The movement that led to the occurrence of quantitative revolution in geography was initiated by natural scientists specifically physicists and mathematicians. It expanded and led to change physical sciences followed by biological sciences. By the late 1960s, it became a feature of most of the social sciences. These include economics, psychology, and sociology; though had faint impressions in the disciplines of anthropology or political science, has not occurred in history.

The main objectives of this paradigm in geography were first, to change the narrative character of the subject (geo + graphics) and make it a scientific discipline. The second objective was to explain and interpret the spatial patterns of geographic phenomena in a logical and objective pattern way. The third objective deals with the use of mathematical and statistical techniques; fourthly, to make accurate statements (generalization) about location order; fifthly, to prepare estimates, principles and laws for testing estimates and estimates and forecasts and lastly to provide a sound philosophical and theoretical base to geography, and to make it a scientific discipline.

These objectives lead a number of dichotomies within the discipline apart from the quality dichotomy. Now, these included measurement by instruments versus direct sense-data; rational analysis versus intuitive perception; cold scientific constructs developed in the laboratories versus rich daily sensed – experience from the real world itself; constantly changing phenomena versus discrete cases; nomothetic versus idiographic, to mention a few. If one tries to seek answers to these dichotomies he gets trapped within them and is unable to understand the movement towards quantification in geography. Thus, to avoid this we shall concentrate on how this movement became part of the discipline and slowly engulfed it in such a manner that it led to the spread and growth of scientific method in geography.

2. Quantitative Revolution in Geography

Traditionally, Geography has been a “following” discipline; the main streams of ideas had their roots in other disciplines. The doctrine of environmental determinism was represented in the writings of Semple, Huntington, G. Taylor, and Ratzel (if he can be considered a determinist). They were busy with the idea of a causal relationship and were regularly demanding and looking for “laws”. A similar mechanical flavor existed in the works by “Quantifiers”. It seems as if geography is re-emerging after it got soaked in ideographic approach, which created a distance between geography and environmental determinism. It seems in some way or other; the quantitative revolution took geography closer to environmental determinism especially as this revolution occurred simultaneously with the upsurge of neo – determinism. The Quantitative Revolution, but natural, was strongly opposed and the dominance of environmental determinism delayed the process of establishment of the scientific basis that the quantifiers wanted to provide. It was vehemently opposed in the United States as determinism had its strongest base there. Still, new techniques were been used and others were being developed as part of the prevailing probabilistic trend in contemporary science. In the words of Bronowski (1959) in simpler terms, statistics replace the notion of inevitable effect by probable trends. As the revolution progressed the use and purpose of use of statistical techniques that are quantification became more and more indeterministic.

In geography, the revolution began in the late 1940’s and culminated in the period from 1957 to 1960; finally, over in 1963, the year Burton wrote his paper. In between these years, it did gain momentum especially after Ackerman and Schaefer favoured in making geography more theoretical and systematic in nature. Ackerman commented, “although the simplified forms of statistical assistance have been part of geographic distribution analysis in the past; discipline is beginning to move towards more complex statistical methods-a completely logical development’. Burton further commented that both Hartshorne and Spate also agreed on the usage of these techniques in geographical thinking.

The reference of Hartshorne (1959) is being made to his statement, which says, “To raise … thinking above the scientific knowledge level, it is important to establish generic concepts, which can be implemented with maximum objectivity and accuracy through quantitative measurements which can be subjected to comparisons through the mathematical logic”.

Spate (1960) in his paper on “Quantity and Quality in Geography’’; published in the Annals of the American Geographers seems somewhat skeptical about quantification in geography. The report of a National Academy of Sciences – National Research Council Committee on ‘The Science of Geography’ (1965) also discussed the influence of quantitative revolution in geography. They stated that geographers believe that correlation of spatial distributions, considered both statistically and dynamically, maybe the keys to understanding the development of living systems, social structures and environmental changes that occur over the earth surface. In the past progress was slow and gradual as the number of geographers was less while the problems were numerous. Moreover, the methods of analyzing these multi-variate problems were rigorous. It was only recently that systematic concepts and approaches have been adopted to analyze these multifaceted problems.

3. The Path of the Quantitative Revolution in the Discipline of Geography

The roots of the revolution were in the following publications, which had their significant influence on the incidence and growth of quantification in geography. These are – Neuman and Morgenstern’s Theory of Games and Economic Behavior (1944); Weiner’s volume on Cybernetics (1948); Human Behaviour and the Principle of Least Effort by Zipf (1949) and Stewart’s paper entitled Empirical Mathematical rules Concerning Distribution and Equilibrium of population’ (1947). Stewart’s paper needs special mention as he put forward a new way to raise the old geographic questions.

The effect of quantification began to be felt immediately in geography. Rather its rise has been startling in its suddenness. Quantification did increase in geography and one should accept it as it had a valuable role to play. For example, in 1936, John Ker Rose argued in his paper on corn cultivation and climatic conditions that “the methods of relational analysis would be particularly promising tools for geographical investigation.” This call was largely ignored. Strahler initiated an excellent petition when he attacked Davis’s explanatory and descriptive explanation of geomorphology and supported G. K. Gilbert’s dynamic-quantitative systems.

a) Quantitative Revolution in the branches of Geomorphology and Climatology

Strahler claimed that Gilbert’s paper was more apter than Davis’s work; then what was the reason that it was not accepted as a sign post in geomorphology for future work; rather it has been forgotten and neglected for nearly thirty years. The answer is with Strahler himself who opines that thinks that geomorphology was a part of geography. The physical geographers did not adopt these ideas rather they followed Davis. Some of the prominent followers of Davis include Douglas Johnson, C A. Cotton, N. M Fenneman, and A.K. Lobeck . Strahler finally states these geographers made “excellent contribution to descriptive and regional geomorphology” and has provided a solid foundation for study in “human geography”, but did not lay the basis for scientific study within the geographical thinking. This does not mean that prior to Strahler; geographers were not using quantitative techniques in geomorphology. Quam and Woolridge vehemently criticized his views. Quam (1950) states that mathematical formulae and statistical analysis in geomorphology may result in showing an unrealistic picture of reality that might not be accurate and objective. Similarly, Woolridge (1959) critics Strahler’s views and states that although there is the prevalence of a ‘new’ quasi-mathematical geomorphology; it is inadvisable to use mathematics at a higher level as these are not apt in explaining the geomorphologic phenomenon. He further states that whatever the case may be they will continue to regard W. M. Davis as their founder and would criticize all those who do not agree with the methodology of Davis’s interpretations of a different phenomenon occurring over the earth surface.

It is not that geomorphologists did not adopt quantification; Strahler did find his support in L. King (1962) who writes that statistical methods are useful for bulk studies and can be well appreciated if used to study complex phenomenon and processes that constitute a large number of variables or indicators. Although few studies in the branch of geomorphology can apply them, they should be used with great precision so that results are not superficial in nature. Many geomorphologists in addition to Strahler like Chorley, Dury, Mackay and Wolfman, used quantitative methods and it seemed that the practice would spread.

In the case of climatology, there is little dispute about the use of quantification. This branch of geography whole-heartedly embraced these new statistical techniques to interpret various climatic phenomena. Examples can be cited from the works of Thornthwaite, Mather and Green, Bryson who have successfully implemented quantitative techniques to seek answers for climate problems; thus silencing their critics.

b) Quantitative Revolution in the branches of Human and Economic Geography

So far, the biggest struggle for approval of quantification has been in human and economic geography. It is not surprising that in view of the possibilist tradition; it is here that the revolution runs against the ideas of independence and the uncertainty of human behavior. Here comparisons with physical sciences are useful. Physicists who work at a microscopic level, with quanta and energy, face similar problems that social scientists face with people. Such parallels when recognized are a reason for happiness and not for disappointment. In order to make a reputable place in human society, social science must get direct results in the form of a prediction science that does not need any kind of control, restriction or regiment the person. A social science that distinguishes random behaviour at the micro-level and is even able to foresee results at this level is nothing but the consequence of quantitative revolution.

Several works can be cited which used statistical techniques in a positive manner. Most interestingly large number of debates took place between scholars that appeared in the literature (Burton, 1963). Some of these are worth mentioning – Garrison’s and Nelson debate on Service classification of cities; Reynolds – Garrison’s deliberation on the modest use of quantification in geography. The Spate – Berry argument in Economic Geography that ends on the agreement that statistics are half of a filled glass, the other half is understanding and interpretations. The list is endless but some of the other debates that need to be mentioned include the contest between Zobler and Mackay on the use of chi-square in regional geography and the dispute of Lukermann and Berry on ‘geographic’ economic geography.

The deliberations were done through professional magazines, which got them the much-needed attention. The result was the establishment of the Regional Science Association in 1956 that promoted quantification in geography. Moreover, it made quantifiers an essential part of the geographical thinking and giving them appreciation and approving their work part of the geographical academia.

Although most of the literature cites that, the revolution is over, it has remained active in several sub-branches of geography particularly transport, economic, and urban geography. This is evident from the fact that writings with quantitative methods have been regularly published in acclaimed journals in geography, including Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Geographical Analysis, Environment, and Planning A, The Professional Geographer, Journal of Geographical Systems, Urban Geography, and many others (Kwan and Schwanen, 2009). Although quantitative geography is generally “perceived as a relatively static research area,” it is actually “a vibrant, intellectually exciting, area in which many new developments are taking place” {Fotheringham, Brunsdon, and Charlton (2000); Clark (2008); Golledge (2008)}.

Interestingly, quantification in geography has changed its course in due course of time. It now an ally of critical geographies – for example, the emphasis has shifted from global generalizations to local levels dealing with local relationships in a spatial framework. It has also become sensitive to variables like gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and age; and even pays attention to processes which shape individual’s spatial behaviour (Kwan and Weber 2003; Poon 2003; Fotheringham 2006).

Quantitative research is still dominant in the fields of transport, economic, and urban geography in the writings of McLafferty and Preston (1997), Rigby and Essletzbichler (1997), Plummer and Taylor (2001), Schwanen, Kwan, and Ren (2008) and Bergmann, Sheppard, and Plummer (2009). In this regard, Kwan and Schwanen (2009) are of opinion that knowledge in statistical methods is essential for decoding and challenging regressive political agendas; often supported by numbers and quantitative analysis. Quantitative geography, when incorporated with a critical sensibility and used suitably, can be a powerful device for encouraging progressive social and political change.

4. The Criticism of Quantification in Geography

The quantitative revolution was initially propounded to make the discipline of geography a scientific discipline where the validity of the knowledge that was generated was justified according to the principles of positivism. Although many geographers like Plummer and Sheppard (2001); Kwan (2004); Fotheringham (2006) have argued that quantitative geography does not necessarily have to be based on the epistemological premises of positivism. Whatever the case may be it is to be understood that when positivist epistemology was adopted, the purpose of the geographic research was to seek universally applicable generalizations. The criticisms became more prominent as critical geographers started questioning the relevance and value of spatial science in the early 1970s. Now quantitative geography was labeled as positivist and empiricist because it was based on the principles of scientific objectivity, value neutrality, and the search for universally applicable generalizations. One of the groups that criticized quantification was the group of feminist geographers that was critical of the tendency to draw conclusions based on the principle of universal causality from inferential statistics (Kwan and Schwanen, 2009). Quantification was also criticized for other reasons. For instance, there were those who thought that this method would mislead geography towards a futile course. Some like Stamp argued that quantifiers were too busy in sharpening their instruments that they forgot the real purpose of the revolution. Few opponents also commented on the suitability of statistical techniques for all kinds of geography. They opine that these techniques were appropriate for some branches and not the entire geographic paraphernalia. Another group condemned this revolution on a note that there was a confusion of ends and means. In the words of Spate (1960), ‘it is important to count what can be counted’. Another dichotomy lies in classifying and understanding; classification should never be mistaken for comprehension. Goodall’s (1952) point is worth pondering where he states that quantitative methods or statistical techniques are only adjunct to elucidations or descriptions; they can neither provide explanations nor replace them. Therefore, these methods should be observed only as useful tools and not keys to universal knowledge (Spate, 1960).

These criticisms clearly point out that the quantitative methods have some severe limitations, especially when applied to the study of certain kinds of phenomena—for example when the purpose is to uncover the complex gendered, racialized or sexualized experiences of individuals or the socio-spatial construction of identities. However, this does not imply that quantification is not in a position to make valuable contributions in the field of geography. The difference lies in the time period if we talk of the 1950s or 1960s maybe this was not possible but in contemporary geographic research, it is possible to reconnect the critical geographies with quantification. Another point of deliberation is that within the discipline of geography several subfields, like transport geography, are historically more quantitative in nature than others; this happened because of the influence of allied fields such as civil engineering and neoclassical economics (Kwan and Schwanen, 2009).

It can be said that the revolution had an early demise; it means that the purpose of the revolution was achieved or not. If seen from the point of view of Burton (1960) its basic purpose was to make geography more scientific and to develop a body of theory. Discontent with the idiographic approach in geography is the root of quantitative revolution; the development of theoretical and model-building geography with a nomothetic approach was the expected result. The basic rationale was to develop scientific method; to develop the theory and to test the theory with the prediction for which the logic of mathematics is the best tool available.

5. Conclusions

The use of statistical or quantitative techniques is one of the most suitable methods for the development of theory in geography. The revolution can never be over until it is able to seek answers and aid the theoretical development of the discipline. Moreover, theory development and its testing are the only ways of creating new knowledge and subsequently verifying it. Models have just formalized ways of descriptions that an author has visualized and represented through his arguments and justifications. In geography, quantification brought this revolution where the ideographic base was replaced by theory building in a nomothetic approach.

Geographers started developing theories and created ‘ new ’ geography that focused on the philosophy as well as methods. These scholars were of the view that mere description, mere quantification, and mere abstraction were valid to a certain extent; but repeated use of these methods makes one an obscurantist. Theoretical geography got its philosophical base in Bunge’s monograph published in 1962, which identified geometry as the mathematics of space and hence made spatial science the language of new geography. Harvey’s Explanation in Geography (1969) provided a more inclusive channel for the methods and philosophy of new geography. Apart from these scholars, the Department of Geography at Lund University, Sweden became a centre for quantitative and theoretical geography under the leadership of Hagerstrand and Morill. Hagerstrand although based in Seattle provided an academic support to the geographers working in this field at the Lund University. To conclude, whichever method one, the purpose of geography is to seek answers to questions pertaining to problems of quantity and value. Most of our experiences are qualitative in nature and when everything is, reduce to numbers; some essential attributes are lost (Huxley, 1951). Thus one needs to maintain balance as still new worlds are to be conquered and new contributions to be made.

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Adhikari, S. (2010) Fundamentals of Geographical Thought, Chaitanya Publishing House, Allahabad
Dikshit, R. D (2011) Geographical Thought: A Contextual History of Ideas, PHI Learning Private Ltd, New Delhi
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Research in Geography and Geography Education: The Roles of Theory and Thought

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Butt, G. (2020). Research in Geography and Geography Education: The Roles of Theory and Thought. In: Geography Education Research in the UK: Retrospect and Prospect. International Perspectives on Geographical Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25954-9_8

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Progress in remote sensing and gis-based fdi research based on quantitative and qualitative analysis.

1. Introduction

2. research methods and data, 2.1. research methods, 2.2. data sources and screening, 2.3. data processing, 3. subject categories and publication trends, 3.1. subject evolution, 3.2. trends in the number and cited times of published papers, 4. the intellectual structure, 4.1. quantitative analysis, 4.2. qualitative analysis, 4.2.1. macro-environmental research at national, regional, and city scales, 4.2.2. global industrial development and layout, 4.2.3. research on global value chains, 4.2.4. micro-information geography of tncs, 4.2.5. internationalization and commercialization of geo-information industry, 4.2.6. multiple data and interdisciplinary approaches, 5. discussions and conclusions, data availability statement, acknowledgments, conflicts of interest.

1	(accessed on 13 July 2024). One date of launch is missing from the data set, but this has a minimal impact on the overall trend.
2	, accessed on 13 July 2024) is selected as the primary quantitative analysis tool in this paper.

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Step	Description	Details
1	Topic identification	Identify a knowledge domain using the broadest possible terms
2	Data collection	Collect data of commonly used sources of scientific literature
3	Terms extract	Extract research front terms
4	Time slicing	Build time series models over time
5	Outcome layout	Analyze domains and generate visualizations

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Li, Z. Progress in Remote Sensing and GIS-Based FDI Research Based on Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis. Land 2024 , 13 , 1313. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081313

Li Z. Progress in Remote Sensing and GIS-Based FDI Research Based on Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis. Land . 2024; 13(8):1313. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081313

Li, Zifeng. 2024. "Progress in Remote Sensing and GIS-Based FDI Research Based on Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis" Land 13, no. 8: 1313. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081313

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Anthropology and Geography

MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR

Dr. Michael Pante (left) and image of fossilized bone with closeup of cut marks.

Dear Anthropology and Geography friends,

Fall 2023 marks my 10th year as Chair of the department, and also my last. It is bittersweet to go through all of our "start of the year" rituals this one last time. I am excited, however, to get back to some research that has been languishing and also to be in the classroom again full time. As soon as we know who will be taking on this important leadership role next, you will know, too – likely as early as our next newsletter.

In the meantime, we continue to grow in student and faculty numbers and impact. First, I would like to introduce our newest tenure-line faculty member, Dr. Jonna Yarrington. She is a cultural anthropologist focused on climate-change impacts on human societies and topics of environmental and climate justice. Jonna is filling Professor Emeritus Kate Browne’s position – big shoes to fill for sure. Her partner, Dr. Landon Yarrington, an applied anthropologist, is also joining our continuing and contract faculty and will be supporting some of the Indigenous classes we have not offered since Dr. Kathy Pickering retired. Both new faculty members have Ph.Ds from the University of Arizona.

Faculty research enjoyed a tremendous amount of support and media attention over the summer, from Dr. Michael Pante's examination of cutmarks on a tibia of a 1.5-million-year-old hominin to Dr. Jason Sibold's important analysis of fire mitigation and forest management. We also have exciting news from Dr. Heidi Hausermann, who is the principal investigator on a National Science Foundation DISES award, examining mercury cycling from small-scale gold mining in Africa and implications for community health. These awards are very competitive and difficult to get, and this is a huge win for Heidi, the department, and CSU.

Finally, we are actively participating in the College of Liberal Arts sponsored thematic Year of Democracy. Please check out and consider attending upcoming seminar series talks in which this theme is featured from the point of view of anthropologists and geographers.

Have a wonderful beginning to your Fall and we hope to see you at our events and in the department.

With best wishes,

Mica Glantz

DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS

GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH

Woman in field clothes in foreground standing next to surveyor equipment standing across green field from another field researcher. Trees in background.

Grace Ellis: Summer 2024

Grace Ellis Summer 2024 Identifying Pre-contact Ports and Construction in the Amazon Doctoral candidate Grace Ellis is the lead author on a new archaeological study, […]

Group of students in green field vests holding a CSU Colorado flag, forest in background

Aleah Kuhr: Summer 2024

Aleah Kuhr Summer 2024 Digging Into Porcupine Creek Nearly 45 years after Colorado State University faculty and students excavated at a Summit County archaeological site, […]

Man holding a drone remote control standing in gorge in Tanzania

Alex Pelissero: Summer 2024

Alex Pelissero Summer 2024 Droning to Study Early Humans Can drones help anthropologists look back in time to understand early humans’ migrations and encounters? Doctoral […]

Man looking into stereo microscope at a lab desk.

Robert Madden: Summer 2024

Robert Madden Summer 2024 How Past Cultures Rolled the Dice Master’s student Robert Madden studies and documents prehistoric, Indigenous North American games of chance, dice, […]

Man holding large one-million-year-old stone handaxe.

Tewabe Kessaw: Summer 2024

Tewabe Negash Kessaw Summer 2024 Bones to Pick about Surviving a Supervolcano A study published March 2024 in the journal Nature shares the discovery of […]

Release the lichen! CSU Anthropology doctoral candidate Kelton Meyer shows the power of lichen for dating archaeological sites

Release the lichen! CSU Anthropology doctoral candidate Kelton Meyer shows the power of lichen for dating archaeological sites in new study August 7, 2023 Joshua […]

Ready Primate One: Role-playing video game levels up biological anthropology

Ready Primate One Joshua Zaffos Video gaming may be a diversion from research and coursework for some, but Anthropology Ph.D. candidate Alex Pelissero is another […]

CSU center and Anthropology students work to recover remains of American WWII pilot in France

CSU center and Anthropology students work to recover remains of American WWII pilot in France CSU SOURCE | August 23, 2021 Tim Schommer This year […]

Pante and Colleagues Uncover How Humans’ Relatives Butchered One Another 1.45 Million Years Ago

Associate Professor Michael Pante and colleagues from Smithsonian Institution and Purdue University have identified butchering marks on a 1.45-million-year-old hominin shin bone – the oldest evidence of humans’ close evolutionary relatives butchering one another.

READ about the study and findings via CSU SOURCE

HEAR Pante talk about his research and the 3D quantitative methods he developed to analyze cut marks on The Audit, CSU’s current-events podcast

Read more via The Washington Post and Smithsonian Magazine

Van Buren Publishes Silver “Thieves," Tin Barons, and Conquistadors in Bolivia

Astute and unafraid: remembering professor emerita ann magennis.

Professor Emerita Ann Magennis , an enduring and admired faculty member at Colorado State University Department of Anthropology and Geography, passed away on February 27, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado, following a brief illness. Magennis taught biological anthropology for CSU Anthropology from 1991 to 2017, including courses exploring human skeletal biology, human adaptation to disease and nutrition, and bioarchaeology. Through her career, she carried out fieldwork and research across Colorado and North America, Morocco, Tanzania, and Central and South America, supporting and collaborating with colleagues.

READ about Magennis' life and legacy

Professor standing above site at Machu Picchu, Peru

Galvin and CSU researchers launch digital tool to help manage Kenyan forests

A NASA-funded team of CSU researchers, including University Distinguished Professor Kathleen Galvin , traveled to Kenya this summer to unveil a new interactive, online tool to help land managers and foresters model and prepare for climate impacts in Kenyan and African forests.

READ about the project

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 5 Department Student Social , 4:30-6:30PM North Hartshorn Lawn

October 5 Trunk Show/ Gregory Allicar Museum Family Day , 10AM-Noon, 1400 Remington St.

November 18-22 Geography Awareness Week

November 20 Graduate Student Showcase

November 20-23 American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting , Tampa, Florida

November 25-29 Fall Break: University Closed

December 4 Capstone Poster Symposium , 9-11AM LSC 302 (Longs Peak Room)

December 9-13 Finals Week

December 13 Fall 2024 Commencement

For more details and new events, visit our homepage

Class of 2023 students at our Spring Graduation Breakfast

MORE NEWS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Welcome Dr. Yarrington!

Welcome Assistant Professor Jonna Yarrington ! Yarrington is a sociocultural and applied anthropologist, focused on the effects of climate change on human societies and issues of environmental and climate justice in a diversity of settings. Stay tuned for more on her research in our next newsletter, and introductions to other new faculty and instructors!

VISIT Yarrington's faculty page

Composite image of Professor and wildfire

New Answers to Burning Questions

Geography Professor Jason Sibold spoke about the importance of using GIS and spatial data in combination with tree-ring and field data for forest and fire management, and why forests' futures are less and less likely to resemble the past due to climate change, as part of CSU SOURCE’s special report, “Summers of Smoke.”

Edible Bugs for a Greener Future

Shaylee Warner , a recent master's graduate who worked Associate Professor Heidi Hausermann , studied how farmers, chefs, government officials, and others in Mexico consider and consume edible insects — as well as future opportunities surrounding edible and medicinal bugs as food sources.

READ MORE via Colorado School of Public Health

MORE NEWS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Cheers to the Class of 2023 graduating students! VIEW our Spring 2023 graduation video
Congratulations to our Spring 2023 Dean's List students!
Well done!, Tanmoy Malaker on defending his master's thesis, "Wildfires and Precipitation in the Lowlands of Guatemala: An Analysis of Precipitation and Vegetation Indices as Potential Wildfire Drivers" this summer. Tanmoy was advised by Professor Stephen Leisz and fellow committee members.
Congratulations to Kaitlyn Coons , winner of the 2023 Amanda Jones Award! Kaitlyn attended a medical field program in Himachal Pradesh, India, with Himalayan Health Exchange this summer. The Jones Award supports international field research and travel for undergraduate students each summer.
2023-24 is the Year of Democracy and Civic Engagement at CSU! College of Liberal Arts Dean Ben Withers shares why democracy needs attention and scholarship and how our college and university will emphasize democratic principles and topics among students through events, courses, and activities this upcoming year. READ MORE via the College of Liberal Arts
Anthropology minor Victoria Silva played a key role in securing water quality regulations in mobile home parks after learning about communities' elevated levels of lead found in water. Silva conducted quantitative and qualitative research and also testified in favor of Colorado state legislation to monitor and improve water quality in mobile home parks. READ MORE via the College of Natural Sciences
As the new academic year begins, CSU leaders have provided the university with an update and timeline on the revitalization of the Clark Building , home to Anthropology and Geography and many department labs. READ MORE via the College of Liberal Arts

Student group in caps and gowns inside arena

Hope Radford

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Masters' students Hope Radford and Rose Parham traveled to Ecuador this summer to collect water-quality data in the Andes Mountains and to collaborate with community members of the Pintag Amaru indigenous collective. Radford and Parham's work is funded as CSU Center for Collaborative Conservation fellows , and they will be supporting the Pintag Amaru's plans to protect local water sources and other natural resources from development through their work. Associate Professor Heidi Hausermann is advising on the project.

Tom Chittenden

Masters Student

Master’s student Tom Chittenden is working with researchers from the Vietnam National University of Agriculture to explore the relationship between landscape transformations, economic change, and rural livelihoods in the Northern Mountain Region of Vietnam. Chittenden traveled to Vietnam this summer and is advised by Dr. Steve Leisz . Chittenden hopes to address how upland ethnic minority groups in Vietnam address risk, grapple with changing economic, political, and ecological circumstances, and alter their agricultural activities.

Tewabe Negash Kassaw

PhD Student

Doctoral student Tewabe Negash Kessaw traveled to Tanzania this summer with advisor Associate Professor Michael Pante and others to analyze faunal materials previously discovered and housed in the Olduvai Gorge to gain insights into the dietary behavior and paleoecological adaptations of Olduvai hominins. Negash Kessaw is particularly interested in the taphonomic study of faunal remains from 1.7 to 2 million years ago (the Oldowan-Acheulean transition) and the implications for the evolutionary trajectory of early Pleistocene hominins.

Katharine Horton

Doctoral candidate Katharine Horton has accepted a tenure-line faculty position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) in Beckley, West Virginia. Horton is completing her Ph.D. dissertation. Her research focuses on the impact of paleoclimate oscillation on hominin occupation in Late Pleistocene Central Asia, utilizing archaeological site information, GIS, climate datasets, spatial statistical modeling, and soil analyses. Her advisor is Dr. Mica Glantz .

Alex Pelissero

Graduate Instructor
PhD Candidate

Ph.D student Alex Pelissero traveled to Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania this summer with advisor Associate Professor Michael Pante and others to conduct a large aerial survey of Olduvai using a drone, with the goal of mapping the vast majority of the gorge. Pelissero will use the images to create a high-resolution site model, which then be used to map the patterns of early human activities from roughly 1-2 million years ago, and how they changed during that time.

Seunghyun Woo

Seunghyun Woo , Ph.D. student, traveled to Dahab, Egypt, this summer for preliminary dissertation fieldwork. Through the case of "freedivers" -- who dive in the water with no supplemental oxygen -- Woo's project will explore human-ocean relations and how that can stimulate intimate environmental knowledge and humble responsibility. Woo conducted participant observation and in-depth interviews regarding freedivers' skill training and technique while in Egypt and plans to analyze how freedivers manipulate and affect the underwater atmosphere. Woo's advisor is Dr. Adrienne Cohen .

Keep up with faculty research, publications, grants & speaking engagements at our Department Scholarship page

Faculty and graduating students at the Spring 2023 Graduation Breakfast

Keep up with department news and events through our social media channels!

Department email [email protected] || phone 970-491-5447, click here to subscribe to this newsletter and to stay informed of department events.

IMAGES

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PPT
A Short Introduction to Quantitative Geography
"gis us a clue"
SOLUTION: Importance of quantitative research across fields
Importance of Quantitative Research Across Fields

COMMENTS

Quantitative Methods in Human Geography
The term "quantitative research" refers to the systematic scientific investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships, by using statistical methods. It includes the analysis of numerical spatial data, the development of spatial theory, and the constructing and testing of mathematical models of spatial processes.
Geographers Count: A Report on Quantitative Methods in Geography
This report is drawn from a project funded to better support the teachers of quantitative methods in UK social science. In it we identify the types of quantitative methods taught in the geography curricula for UK schools and universities, and discuss attitudes towards those methods amongst students and teachers.
Quantitative geography III: Future challenges and challenging futures
To understand what quantitative geography may offer in the future, we need to take stock. Accumulation of knowledge in quantitative geography is a cyclical process: waves of scholars converge on similar empirical and computational challenges, then follow their own rivulets back to common conceptual understanding. Historical shifts in perspective are tidal; geography is transformed both by ...
PDF A Short Introduction to Quantitative Geography
Summary This short report provides a short introduction to quantitative geography (or, why geography without quantitative methods just does not add up), its history and why it is of on-going importance within the discipline. It argues that quantitative geography is sometimes confused with traditional statistical tests that, although often useful, do not do justice to its wider scope. A better ...
Quantitative geography
Quantitative geography. Quantitative geography is a subfield and methodological approach to geography that develops, tests, and uses scientific, mathematical, and statistical methods to analyze and model geographic phenomena and patterns. [1] [2] [3] It aims to explain and predict the distribution and dynamics of human and physical geography ...
PDF Designs, Techniques, and Reporting Strategies in Geography ...
Analyzing three geography education journals, we found 191 research articles published about geography education, of which, 55 used a quantitative design, 65 used a qualitative design, and 71 used mixed methods.
Quantitative methods II: Big theory
A great deal of current research in quantitative human geography successfully marries big theory and pragmatic quantitative geography. Some is the conceptual theory research discussed above.
Quantitative Geography: Representations, Practices, and Possibilities
Representations of quantitative geography, both by practitioners and by others, have tended to associate quantification with empiricism, positivism, and the social and academic status quo. Qualitative geography, by contrast is represented as nonempiricist or postempiricist, sensitive to complexity, contextual, and capable of empowering ...
Introduction: Recalibrating the Quantitative Revolution in Geography
This book brings together international research on the quantitative revolution in geography. It offers perspectives from a wide range of contexts and national traditions that decenter the Anglo ...
PDF Quantitative Methods in Geography
In a separate survey of all first-year geographers in a Russell group university, 66% strongly agreed that learning quantitative methods is important to understand research, 50% strongly agreed it is important for their education, 45% that it is important for understanding and contributing to scientific debate, and 43% to get a job.
Quantitative Geography: Representations, Practices, and Possibilities
Abstract Representations of quantitative geography, both by practitioners and by others, have tended to associate quantification with empiricism, positivism, and the social and academic status quo.
PDF Quantitative Geography
As noted previously, ultimately quantitative geography is the collection of methods that are applied, or could/can be applied, by geographers and others to study spatial phenomena, issues and problems, often over time. This section presents an overview and description of methods in quantitative geography.
PDF Quantitative Techniques in Geography
Important and Sampling Process and Types of Samples . Block 3: Testing Hypotheses and Significance Testing ... Quantitative Techniques in Geography will be composed of lectures, discussions and exercises and is designed as a postgraduate level ... century, the preponderance of geographic research focused on directly
[PDF] Quantitative Geography
Six broad categories are used to discuss the range of methods found in quantitative geography: geographic information systems; airborne sensing; statistics and exploratory spatial data analysis; mathematics and optimization; regional analysis; and computer science and simulation. This paper provides an overview of quantitative geography. In addition to discussing what quantitative geography is ...
(PDF) Designs, Techniques, and Reporting Strategies in Geography
The implications of this article is to provide geography education researchers with guidance when reporting research results in an effort to promote replicability and longitudinal research.
Quantitative methods II: Big theory
A great deal of current research in quantitative human geography successfully marries big theory and pragmatic quantitative geography. Some is the conceptual theory research discussed above. Other examples, especially in segregation and neighbour-hood context are covered in my rst report (Franklin, fi. 2022).
7 Main Objectives of Quantitative Revolution in Geography
The main objectives of the quantitative revolution in geography were as under: 1. To change the descriptive character of the subject (geo + graphy) and to make it a scientific discipline; 2. To explain and interpret the spatial patterns of geographical phenomena in a rational, objective and cogent manner; 3.
QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION IN GEOGRAPHY
The quantitative revolution led the basis of geography as a spatial science that dealt with the spatial analysis of phenomena that existed on the earth surface. In simpler words, it gave geography a scientific vision through the application of methodology rooted in statistical methods. Some of the elements of positivism, which had previously ...
Quantitative methods in geography making the connections between
Geography draws strength from its links across the sciences, social sciences and the humanities, and most likely this has helped to preserve the importance given to quantitative methods when it has declined in other disciplines.
Research in Geography and Geography Education: The Roles of ...
This chapter discusses the connections between research in academic geography and in geography education, with particular reference to the roles of theory and thought.
What Is Quantitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines
The necessity, importance, relevance, and urgency of quantitative research are articulated, establishing a strong foundation for the subsequent discussion, which delineates the scope, objectivity, goals, data, and methods that distinguish quantitative research, alongside a balanced inspection of its strengths and shortcomings, particularly in ...
What Is Quantitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines
The necessity, importance, relevance, and urgency of quantitative research are articulated, establishing a strong foundation for the subsequent discussion, which delineates the scope, objectivity ...
PDF Advantages and limitations of quantitative methods in geography
The main objectives of the quantitative revolution in geography were as under: To change the descriptive character of the subject (geo + graphy) and to make it a. scientific discipline; To explain and interpret the spatial patterns of geographical phenomena in a. rational, objective and cogent manner; 3.To use mathematical language instead of ...
Progress in Remote Sensing and GIS-Based FDI Research Based on ...
It is therefore evident that FDI and TNCs represent important research topics in the context of contemporary globalization. ... Geography is one of the main disciplines in studies with a particular focus on FDI and TNCs. ... In general, the quantitative research method is used to synthesize and analyze the subject categories, intellectual ...
Department Newsletter
The Fall 2024 Alumni newsletter of the Department of Anthropology and Geography at Colorado State University. Skip to content ... Geography Professor Jason Sibold spoke about the importance of using GIS and spatial data in combination with ... Silva conducted quantitative and qualitative research and also testified in favor of Colorado state ...
Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches to Social Research in
Abstract The author addresses the potential of a multiple-methods approach in human geography, an approach to social research which has received little explicit attention in the geographical literature to date. The relationship between epistemology and methodology is outlined, and the similarities and differences between quantitative and qualitative methods are described. Some problems ...

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DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS

GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH

Grace Ellis: Summer 2024

Aleah Kuhr: Summer 2024

Alex Pelissero: Summer 2024

Robert Madden: Summer 2024

Tewabe Kessaw: Summer 2024

Release the lichen! CSU Anthropology doctoral candidate Kelton Meyer shows the power of lichen for dating archaeological sites

Ready Primate One: Role-playing video game levels up biological anthropology

CSU center and Anthropology students work to recover remains of American WWII pilot in France

Pante and Colleagues Uncover How Humans’ Relatives Butchered One Another 1.45 Million Years Ago

Van Buren Publishes Silver “Thieves," Tin Barons, and Conquistadors in Bolivia

Galvin and CSU researchers launch digital tool to help manage Kenyan forests

UPCOMING EVENTS

For more details and new events, visit our homepage

MORE NEWS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Welcome Dr. Yarrington!

New Answers to Burning Questions

Edible Bugs for a Greener Future

MORE NEWS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Hope Radford

Tom Chittenden

Tewabe Negash Kassaw

Katharine Horton

Alex Pelissero

Seunghyun Woo

Keep up with faculty research, publications, grants & speaking engagements at our Department Scholarship page

Keep up with department news and events through our social media channels!

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