An Interpretation of the Quantification Debate in British Geography

This paper describes recent trends in British geography from a sociological perspective. The quantification debate is thus interpreted as a conflict within a scientific 'community'. The initial hierarchical structure is briefly outlined and the process of quantification is viewed within this context. Finally the response of the traditional elements of the com- munity is viewed as ranging from those who wish to resist change to those who wish to incorporate these new trends. The little clashes between 'schools of thought' that appear in academic journals can be good clean fun, especially for graduate students and those who enjoy scholarly debates more than bullfights. But they can be more than fun. (Schnore, 1962) IT is self-evident to all people professionally engaged in British geography that the discipline has undergone some rapid changes in the last 15 years or so. These changes have followed similar trends in the U.S.A. and are usually identified by the expression 'quantitative revolution'.