A Research Agenda for Geographic Information Science - Essential

In this review of A Research Agenda for Geographic Information Science, the book is presented as a focused guide to the conceptual challenges that shape modern GIS research and practice. It is best for graduate students, researchers, and GIS professionals who need a concise roadmap of the theoretical questions that drive the field. The single biggest reason to buy is its clear articulation of research priorities established by the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science, which makes the volume a useful reference for anyone linking GIS to cartography, photogrammetry, geodesy, surveying, computer and information science, or statistics.

Key Features

• Clear research agenda: Lays out the central scientific problems that must be addressed for GIScience to advance across allied fields.
• Interdisciplinary focus: Connects GIScience theory to practical domains such as cartography and photogrammetry so readers can see how questions translate to applications.
• Community-driven priorities: Reflects topics identified by the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science soon after its founding, giving the volume institutional grounding.
• Concise introduction: The first chapter provides a straightforward introduction to the agenda, helping readers grasp the scope before diving into specific challenges.
• Theoretical emphasis: Concentrates on the science behind GIS, which supports long-term planning for research projects and academic curricula.

Who It's For

This book suits graduate students who are forming thesis topics, academic researchers mapping the landscape of GIScience, and practitioners who want to understand the theoretical underpinnings of their tools and methods. Its focus on research problems makes it most valuable to readers who already have some background in GIS or a related discipline.

Readers looking for hands-on tutorials, software how-to guides, or step-by-step methods should look elsewhere; this volume does not serve as a practical manual or textbook for introductory GIS software training.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a focused set of research priorities that can guide future work in GIScience.
• Bridges multiple related fields, showing how theory relates to cartography, geodesy, and surveying.
• The opening chapter gives a clear orientation to the agenda, useful for quick familiarization.

Cons

• By design it emphasizes theory over practical instruction, so it lacks hands-on examples or software guidance.

Specifications

Title	A Research Agenda for Geographic Information Science
Authors	Robert B. McMaster, E. Lynn Usery
Scope	Fundamental scientific problems and research topics in GIScience
Audience	Researchers, graduate students, GIS professionals
Affiliation	University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS) agenda
Related fields	Cartography, photogrammetry, geodesy, surveying, computer and information science, statistics

Our Verdict

For those who need a principled overview of the field, A Research Agenda for Geographic Information Science is a compact, well-grounded resource that clarifies the research questions shaping GIScience. It is good value for academics and advanced practitioners who want a community-backed roadmap of theoretical priorities, though those seeking practical how-to content should consider a different title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover practical GIS software training?
No, the book emphasizes theory and research priorities rather than step-by-step software instruction.

Who contributed the research topics in the book?
The agenda reflects topics identified by the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science shortly after its founding.

Is this suitable for undergraduates new to GIS?
It is better suited to graduate students or professionals with some prior GIS knowledge rather than complete beginners.