Stephanie Levine

ENVS 220: Fall 2009

Lewis & Clark College

slevine@lclark.edu

Environmental Analysis consists of four main components: data, methods, explanatory theories and conceptual frameworks. This collection of quantitative and qualitative approaches allows for analysis that is rooted in hard sciences yet much of its discourse takes place in the humanities. The foundation for such research is based in asking provocative questions that are theoretically and practically significant. Situating these questions makes it possible to hone in on specific environmental issues and research environmental problems that have far reaching impacts. The main challenge in limiting scale is finding ways to make the resulting conclusions resonate on a broader level. To do this, theories and frameworks are used to compare and contrast data through different lenses in order to expand our understanding of their analytical significance.  Mapping tools, like Cmap, are used to organize these ideas. Using an ANT approach to Cmap is a reduction-type process used to find the most significant actors and connections for a given topic. Such visual representations are important in order to illustrate spatial connections. This is seen very clearly through GIS mapping programs like ArcMap, that allow for spatial analysis using collected data about nearly any topic imaginable. 

FOCUS QUESTIONS:

1. How can we use situated research to focus on depth without losing sight of breadth?

2. How does our understanding of environmental information and data change when we consider them through different theoretical lenses and disciplines?  

3. How does spatial representation change the way we interpret data?