Qualitative methods for research on mapmaking and map use

Contemporary cartographic research on mapmaking and map use has a broad man date and, as a consequence, researchers need a broad suite of methods. Cons istent with research developments in other geographic subdisciplines, carto graphic researchers now use qualitative methods. They offer the advantage o f bringing research closer to the problem-solving realms of mapmakers and m ap users. Our purpose here is to discuss an array of qualitative methods fo r mapmaking and map use. Questionnaires, interviews, and protocol methods a re used to gather verbal data about mapmaking and map use. Ethnographies pr oduce data from direct observation of mapmakers and users. Maps also are so urces for document analysis. We use examples of published cartographic rese arch to elaborate on each of these methods.