1. Geographic information systems (GIS) have traditionally been seen as a tool for quantitative data analysis, but recent developments have opened up possibilities for using GIS in qualitative and mixed-method research.
2. Participatory GIS research has informed subsequent studies that seek to incorporate people's local knowledge through a participatory or action research framework.
3. Qualitative GIS methodologies go beyond the static and Cartesian framework of current GIS, incorporating multimedia and Internet GIS to enhance the knowledge production process of qualitative or mixed-method research.
The article "Geo-Narrative: Extending Geographic Information Systems for Narrative Analysis in Qualitative and Mixed-Method Research" provides an overview of the use of GIS in qualitative and mixed-method research. The authors argue that GIS is not just a tool for quantitative data analysis but can also incorporate qualitative materials such as narratives, photos, and videos. They highlight the importance of incorporating people's local knowledge through participatory or action research frameworks.
While the article provides a useful overview of the potential uses of GIS in qualitative research, it has some limitations. One potential bias is that the authors focus primarily on positive examples of GIS use in qualitative research and do not explore any potential drawbacks or limitations. For example, they do not discuss any ethical concerns related to using GIS to collect and analyze personal data.
Additionally, the article does not provide much detail on how exactly GIS can be used to analyze narratives or other qualitative data. While the authors mention multimedia and internet GIS as potential tools for incorporating non-textual materials into GIS databases, they do not provide any specific examples or case studies.
Another limitation is that the article focuses primarily on geography-related research and does not explore how GIS could be used in other fields such as sociology or anthropology. This narrow focus may limit the applicability of their arguments to researchers outside of geography.
Overall, while the article provides a useful introduction to using GIS in qualitative research, it would benefit from more detailed examples and a more balanced discussion of potential drawbacks or limitations.