Acquiring Geographic Information Geographic information is information about locations, the physical and human characteristics of those locations, and the geographic activities and conditions of the people who live in those places. To answer geographic questions, we should start by gathering information from a variety of sources in a variety of ways. The skills involved in acquiring geographic information include locating and collecting data, observing and systematically recording information, reading and interpreting maps and other graphic representations of spaces and places, interviewing, and using statistical methods. Primary sources of information, especially the result of fieldwork, are important in geographic inquiry. Fieldwork involves conducting research in the community by distributing questionnaires, taking photographs, recording observations, interviewing citizens, and collecting samples.
Fieldwork helps arouse the curiosity and makes the study of geography more enjoyable and relevant.
It fosters active learning by enabling us to observe, ask questions, identify problems, and hone perceptions of physical features and human activities. Often we can obtain useful information from nonprimary sources. Secondary sources of information include texts, maps, statistics, photographs, multimedia, computer databases, newspapers, telephone directories, and government publications. Tertiary sources such as encyclopedias report information compiled from secondary sources and are important in some research situations. Once collected, the geographic information requires organization and display in ways that help analysis and interpretation.