Dawn Wright|Michael F. Goodchild|James D. Proctor
Demystifying the Persistent Ambiguity of GIS as ‘Tool’ versus ‘Science’
Oregon State University|University of California, Santa Barbara|University of California, Santa Barbara
abstract gis tool science question clearly important daytoday operations geography departments departments need know gis tool taught undergraduate level science thus legitimate research specialty faculty graduate students summarize debate question conducted gisl electronic listserver late 1993 evaluating discussion became clear gis could understood two distinct positions taken gisl discussants three positions along continuum ranging tool science positions attach several meanings gis 1 gis tool ie use particular class software associated hardware tools digital geographic data order advance specific purpose 2 gis toolmaking ie advancement tools capabilities facilities ease use 3 science gis ie analysis fundamental issues raised use gis recognizing importance understanding meant science well meant gis conclude one positionsthe science gisis sufficient condition science toolmaker position rarely able meet test science gis tool position involves science yields progress substantive problem debate certainly problematic light variety perspectives science gis persistence issue suggests however gis community continue work toward resolution keywords gislsystemsgeographic information sciencegeographic thoughtnature philosophy sciencenature geographic information systems