ABSTRACT
Is there such a thing as geographic information science? (Goodchild, 1992a). Many don't care and others don't think so. On the other hand, believing that geographic information science does exist is not the same as believing in Father Christmas. Those of us striving to have the notion recognized must be able to demonstrate that there is a distinctive core of systematic knowledge and a coherent range of research programs that set this field apart from the host of other fields and disciplines with which it is connected. This chapter speculates on what the knowledge core of geographic information science might be, and proposes a matrix of major themes to help identify legitimate research programs within it.
