Jankowski P., Nyerges T. GIS for Group Decision Making

Taylor & Francis, 2003. — 296 p.This book has been written as an equal effort between the co-authors. It is a report of research activities between 1995–2000. Although much of our research activity related to this topic has been published in journals in one form or another, the book contains eight original chapters as a synthesis of findings. Researching the dynamics of complex geographic decision situations, examining the influences of the use of participatory geographic information systems and its extension as a form of decision support capability, is the principle motivation for undertaking the investigations reported herein. We see the research as forming a foundation for what we call participatory, geographic information science.
This book is meant to be an introduction to participatory, geographic information science as much as it is a report on our research agenda for the past few years. The foundation of this book is built from a concerted effort to balance three research domains—theory, methodology, and substance— involved in studies of PGIS use. All three domains are (or rather should be) present in all research, but the difference in research is a matter of the difference in emphasis of the domains as used in a research study. We have tried to make this clearer by writing this book in order to open opportunities for research, not stifle them.