Mapping as critical qualitative research methodology

This paper examines the contributions of mapping research to critical qualitative research methodology. Mapping research is introduced, along with its history, the prevalence of geo- and socio-spatial theoretical frameworks used with the methodology, and the predominant framing of mapping research in the field of education. The main goal of this paper is to share some of the wide variety of approaches to mapping research to help scholars understand where the methodology comes from, where it is going, as well as its scope, strengths, limitations, and possibilities for critical qualitative research. Three diverse examples of mapping research are analysed in detail with attention given to their theoretical and methodological contexts, prompts and generated artefacts, as well as strengths and limitations.