Cartography and Geographic Information Science (CaGIS) is the official publication of the Cartography and Geographic Information Society. The Society supports research, education, and practices that improve the understanding, creation, analysis, and use of maps and geographic information. The CaGIS journal implements the objectives of the Society by publishing authoritative peer-reviewed articles that report on innovative research in cartography and geographic information science.
Cartography is an art and a science; geographic information science has practical implementation as well as theoretical aspects. The journal publishes articles with a design perspective alongside mathematical and social science approaches. Therefore, the choice of methods will vary per article.
Articles must build on previous research and demonstrate for instance why a ‘good’ new map is a better map than the established practice, basing the evaluation on some form of user testing. Or, how results of a new algorithm to calculate some property are improved in some quantifiable or conclusive manner. Historical papers are considered if original sources are presented and are not just reminiscences or indirect observations. Other articles may apply mathematical analysis for projections and other spatial properties. The mathematics and analysis must be rigorous and logically presented, with attention to reproducibility. In support of reproducibility for all kinds of work, the journal encourages supplemental material in the form of data, source code, and extended graphics.
Of course, the most innovative articles may have no precedent, but then they must fully prove their point with careful scholarship about the nature of the innovation. The field of geographic information science is broad. The Journal focuses on the analytical output of a geographic information system, rather than its source material. Therefore, CaGIS does not encourage studies that report on data acquisitions as the primary focus. By contrast, analysis of the gaps in coverage of any data source or demonstration of a new procedure would fit quite well.
The Journal takes care to publish graphics of high quality in print and online and now supports interactive, dynamic, and 3D displays. Our Cartographic Review process examines the design and execution of all illustrations. Innovative design is encouraged, and readable results required. Color illustrations are virtually unlimited and provided at no charge to authors but permissions must be cleared by the author for any third party content reproduced.
Please carefully follow the Instructions for Authors before submitting to the Journal.
Peer Review Statement
Cartography and Geographic Information Science is an international, ranked, peer-reviewed journal which publishes original research contributions to scientific knowledge. All manuscript submissions are subject to initial appraisal by the Editor, and, if found suitable for further consideration, to peer review by independent, anonymous expert referees.
All peer review is double blind and submissions can be made via Scholar One Manuscripts.
