Abstract
In consolidating the management orientation of many aspects of physical geography noted in previous chapters, we can hardly do better than to note that in the first edition of Progress in Physical Geography in 1977, R. P. Moss offered a methodological structure for the subject as a means of distinguishing ‘between good and bad geography’. Possibly the biggest change in our subject since then is that we feel less need to judge our work by the strictures of epistemology, the theory of knowledge and its acquisition. ‘Never mind the quality, feel the weight’ might be the new slogan for some, especially those who, like the author, have had to leave the world of induction and deduction for the world of production. Even if we do not actually apply the weight criterion to our work, the age of declining national wealth and financial cutbacks has promoted others who use it to sit in judgement on our efforts.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Further Reading
A starting point is a paper which summarises very succinctly the various routes to the acquisition and use of knowledge. It is a good guide to discipline even if, as with a parent’s strictures, you go off and ignore it later!
Moss R. P. (1977) ‘Deductive strategies in geographical generalization’, Progress in Physical Geography, vol. 1, pp. 23–9.
The argument is taken further by the next two references. The first is an analysis of the way in which science is becoming steered by society, and is therefore losing sight of some of Moss’s articles of faith. Johnston then offers another glimpse of the wicked ways of the world, and how to hold your head up as a simple scientist in a manipulative system (against which you just might feel rebellious)
Kogan M. and Henkel M. (1983) Government and Research (London: Heinemann Educational Books).
Johnston R. J. (1981) ‘Applied geography, quantitative analysis and ideology’, Applied Geography, vol. 1, pp. 213–9.
Two views of management follow, one summarising the relationship between scientific and managerial perspectives in the natural environment within a coastal context, and the other describing governmental and private structures surrounding the practice of hydrology (and some fluvial geomorphology) in Britain
Clark M. J. (1977) ‘The relationship between coastal zone management and offshore economic development’, Maritime Policy and Management, vol. 4, pp. 431–49.
Parker D. J. and Penning-Rowsell E. C. (1980) Water planning in Britain (London: Allen & Unwin).
Finally, something to aim for! The situation in the United States is one where professional barriers are lowered to allow the wise counsel of the environmental scientist a more direct say in management. Try the exercises: would you make a consultant?
Dunne T. and Leopold L. B. (1978) Water in Environmental Planning (San Francisco: Freeman).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1987 Malcolm Newson
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Newson, M. (1987). From Description to Prescription: Measurements for Management. In: Clark, M.J., Gregory, K.J., Gurnell, A.M. (eds) Horizons in Physical Geography. Horizons in Geography. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18944-1_22
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18944-1_22
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-39610-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-18944-1
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)