Variation of geospatial thinking in answering geography questions based on topographic maps

摘要

This study explores the implications for geospatial thinking by examining its variations and processes in answering geographic questions based on topographic maps, and reveal ing the factors affecting this process. The study materials compriseds even questions on various types of topographic maps drawn from geography test questions in Japanese university entrance examinations. A quantitative analysis was conducted on answers obtained from 118 undergraduate students. These answers pertained to the relationship between performance on the test, experience of geography education, and spatial abilities. In addition, think aloud verbal protocols were obtained from ten students to analyze the detailed process behind their answers.The results indicated that the effects of experience of geography education and spatial abilities on the students' test performance varied with the type of questions. Qualitative analysis of the verbal reports confirmed that the cognitive process of reading topographic maps varied with the types of questions and maps. The findings imply that higher -order geospatial thinking based on topographic maps requires not only bottom -up processing of information on the map but also top -down processing that involves schemata containing geospatial knowledge based on one's prior experience or education.