Many research outputs carry maps generated from various map projections. Some of the projections distort maps more than others and portray different senses of area sizes on the same map. Should such maps be put in scientific publications/research outputs? Give your views?
Of course no unless it is not used for reproduction later or as a reference, and it is only for simple illustration in the literature.
It is obvious that a wrongly selected map projection lead to misunderstanding. At the Research Group of Experimental Cartography (ktk.elte.hu/en) we tested this with hundreds of users. It turned out that older people already got used to some of the frequently used, but not properly distorted map types (they had preconceptions), but under age 20 it is not the case! For them we should carefully select the most appropriate projection (that fits to the main thematic). But definitely avoid using pole-lines instead of pole points on maps! It generated mosty wrong answers!
Also, the preconceptions of the “older” – and “professional” map readers tricked them to misjudge the properly depicted information on the maps. It was a good case study that emphasized the importance of the proper map projection! We appreciate if you reflect on it!
Title: Kerkovits, K. & Szigeti, Cs. 2018: Relationship between The Distortions in Map Projections And The Usability of Small-Scale Maps
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Geoscience
- Cartography
- Mapping
- Maps