Cognition of Geographic Information

3.1 INTRODUCTION " Geographic information science " has newly emerged as the study of basic and applied research issues involving geospatial information. This multidisciplinary field is concerned with the collection, storage, processing, analysis, and depiction and communication of digital information about spatiotemporal and thematic attributes of the earth, and the objects and events found there. One area of research within geographic information science involves the cognition of geographic information. Cognition of geographic information deals with human perception, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and communication involving earth phenomena and their representation as geospatial information. Research in cognition is relevant to many issues involving geographic information: data collection and storage, graphic representation and interface design, spatial analysis, interoperability, decision-making, the societal context of geographic information systems (GIS), and more. We believe that many aspects of GIS usability, efficiency, and profitability can be improved by greater attention to cognitive research. Research on geographic cognition is important to many areas of high priority within the national research and development agenda. An understanding of how humans conceptualize geographic features and information will help promote interoperability of systems, including distributed information systems. Good examples of this include attempts to develop national and international data standards, and attempts to create digital geographic libraries. Research on geographic cogni-tion will improve the functionality and dissemination of many information technologies , including data capture technologies, GIS, and intelligent transportation systems. It will also help provide ways to externalize the divergent belief and value systems of different stakeholders in land use debates. Finally, the study of geographic information cognition will play a major role in improving the effect-tiveness of geographic education at all levels.