QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION AND LOCATIONAL ANALYSIS

QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION AND LOCATIONAL ANALYSIS

QUANTITATIVE REVOLUTION

Definition: Application of statistical and mathematical techniques, theory in the understanding geographical system is known as the quantitative revolution in Geography. 

•  The quantitative revolution starts with Richard Hartshorne and Schaefer's debate in 1953 
•  It was inspired by Logical Possibilism. 

It involved two things:

1.  A statistical method for generating and testing hypothesis using empirical data.
2.  Use of mathematical techniques and theorems for deriving models from initial abstract assumption.

Why it is called a revolution?

1. Because it involves a shift in focus of geographical studies and nature of geographical work.
2. New concepts of geography as a science of spatial analysis of phenomena, the idea of Geography our special science emerged.
3. Pronounced commitment to theory with a new set of methodologies.

Main objectives of quantitative revolution

1. Change the descriptive character of the subject and make it more scientific.
2. Provide Geography is a sound philosophical and theoretical base.
3. Explain and interpret spatial patterns of geographical phenomena in a rational, objective manner.
4. Test hypothesis and formulate models, theories and laws for Estimation and prediction.
5. Use of mathematical language.
6. Make a precise statement about Locational order.

Development

The origin of quantitative Revolution is dedicated to Schaefer in his work exceptionalism in the  American Association of geographers. Hartshorne provided the concept of areal differentiation. Schaefer said that areal differentiation cannot be the only way to study a region, therefore, we need to move from the concept of areal to spatial and move from concept of absolute space to relative space and finally from areal integration to spatial integration.

Three Major propounders of quantitative revolution

1.Richard Chorley
2. William Bunge( explained the language of geography)
3. Peter Haggett

Developments under quantitative revolution

1. Ullman's model of urban structure
2. Garrison's mathematical techniques
3. Stewarts empirical mathematical rules
4. G.K. Ziff's principle of least effort
5. Chorley and Haggett multivariate analysis

Advantages of the quantitative revolution

1. Sampling of data
2. Observation
3. Tabulation of data
4. Application of Statistical Techniques

Disadvantages of quantitative revolution

1. Could not explain anything about the normative approach
2. Financial burden because of scientific equipment.
3. Bunge criticism was given by Robert David Sack (space and matter cannot be analyzed separately, we need combined analysis of the factors which cannot be done through a quantitative revolution- Sack)

Impact of quantitative Revolution on Geography

1. Quantitative Revolution developed as a result of the need to make Geography more scientific and theoretical in orientation.
2. The logical outgrowth of quantitative revolution made Geography become a social science that recognizes random behavior at the microscopic level and predicts order at the microcosmic level.
3. It leads to shifting from descriptive geography (idiographic) to law-making (normative)geography.
4. It marked a change in geography from regional Geography to spatial science
5. Quantitative revolution offered techniques to Geography whereby theory could be developed and improved.
6. Quantitative Revolution lead to the development of methods that served as a guide for the new practitioners.
7. It served as an important tool for planning purpose.
8. It's failing led to rising of alternative School known as qualitative approach(behavioral, radical humanistic, welfare) this lead to the creation of original thoughts and development in the subject.
9. Because of quantitative revolution, the methodology was readily accepted into fields of physical geography to study of geomorphology, climatology, and Oceanography.
10. Quantitative Revolution helped to distinguish Geography from metaphysics and religion, it also provided with a sound philosophical scientific and methodological base. 
11. It also leads to rising interest in the study of distance spatial arrangement of a phenomenon.
12. Greater use of computer in geography lead to the development of geomatics such as GIS and Remote Sensing.

Contribution in geography

1. Development of economic theories like The Locational theory and Central Place Theory.
2. Development of the concept of system approach in studying settlement, water cycle and the Rock cycle.
3. Contribution to Locational analysis.

Merits of the quantitative revolution

1. It is based on empirical observation and it is readily verifiable.
2. It helps in reducing the multitude of observation data and Facts to a manageable number of factors
3. It helps in estimation, prediction, and forecasting
4. It provides techniques, frameworks within which theoretical statement could be formally presented.
5. Objective measurement of data.

Demerits of quantitative revolution

1. Fail to address the entire field of geography, therefore, led to a decrease in the centrality of approach.
2. Dehumanization as human perception believes and fear is completely ignored. It gives it a generalized touch and forecast man as a rational economic creature.
3. Quantitative Revolution increases the need for funding in geography because of the use of instruments like golden calf computers GPS and GIS Technology.

LOCATIONAL ANALYSIS

Locational analysis talks about the spatial arrangement in a space. It was derived from positivism and euphemism based on minute observations. The main propounders of locational analysis where Peter Haggett and William Bunge.

It is based on the philosophy of logical positivism (Positivism is a set of philosophical approaches that seeks to apply scientific principles and methods, drawn from the natural and hard sciences to social phenomena in order to explain them. So in this way, it is a logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observation.). It concentrates on the theories of spatial arrangements. So it is closely linked to the discipline of quantitative revolution. Geometry is used as a language for the study of spatial form.

Application of locational analysis

To select a site for
1. Business expansion
2. Facilitate relocation, supply chain analysis, trade area performance, assessment of shopping center.

The main objectives of locational analysis by Peter Haggett were:

1. Building accurate generalization models and theories.

2.  Formulation of Universal law theories and models in human Geography about human behavior and how people utilize their resources.

The model is given by Peter Haggett
Peter Haggett in his book locational analysis in human geography appeal to adopt geometric tradition to explain the order, locational order, and pattern in human geography. Such a focus needed

1. To Adopt  systems approach which concentrates on pattern and linkages within the whole assemblage
2. To employee models to understand man environment relationship.
3. To use quantitative techniques to make precise statements and a generalization about locational order.
(Model of locational analysis includes nodes, network, hierarchy, surface movement or interconnection diffusion.)

Advantages of locational analysis

1 better prediction
2. It talks more about regional synthesis than areal differentiation
3. It talked about how local environmental and climate influences.

Disadvantages

1. It includes disadvantages of the quantitative revolution 
2. Secondly, it gives too much emphasis on space thus it follows the roots of capitalism
3. It encourages capitalism.

Criticism

1. It ignores the normative question based on the mistaken belief that positive theory would lead to normative Insight.
2. It did not reflect the reality of decision making process
3. It considers the complexities of real-world
4. It is criticized on the ground that it encourages the social order of capitalism
5. Due to locational analysis, there is overproduction and the economy enters an area of an over-generalization
6. It treats people as dots on a map a data on a graph on numbers in an equation

Impact

Substantially change the nature of human Geography from mid 1960
It helped in development of models and procedures which could be used in physical planning.