interpolation — English

In Geography this entails the process of inserting a justifiable value or values between already established or accurately measured values plotted on a map. It is basically a process of making educated guesses. Geographers take all the already measured values, empirically determined measurements and all other spatial information about the mapped area into account and make scientifically responsible estimations of what the unmeasured values might be. Interpolation and estimation lies at the very core of spatial research. Despite the fact that interpolation inevitably includes a certain degree of generalisation, interpolation does not at all negate the results of a geographical investigation. It would not be an overstatement to say that “this is what geographers do”. However, that is not all geographers do. Based on the results of a successful study in one or more study areas, predictions or estimations could be made about other areas. While interpolation entails generalisation within one study area, the results could perhaps be extrapolated to other comparable areas (see “extrapolation”.)

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