Abstract
The potential of maps to ‘mislead’ is flagged as an ethical issue in the academic literature and beyond. This potential resurfaced in discussions around Covid-19 mapping practices. Using Alvesson and Sandberg’s (2020) problematising review framework, we explore what assumptions are made about the map user and map engagement context when a disease map, or mapping or distribution practice is labelled as misleading, and how this conceptualization can be both a help and a hindrance for studying (engagement with) public health maps. We argue that further empirical research and theoretical development are needed to better understand map-based misleadingness in the context of public health crises, and that the label of misleadingness should be used with caution.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | The Cartographic Journal |
Early online date | 10 Oct 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 10 Oct 2024 |
Funding
This research was conducted as part of a University of Bath Leveraged University Research Studentship associated with the RENEW project (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Global Challenges Research Fund, project number EP/P028403/1).
Keywords
- COVID-19
- map engagement
- map user
- misleading
- public health mapping
- thematic mapping
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Earth-Surface Processes