Cartography, or the making of maps, is codependent on geography as a study. Maps are used by geographers as representations of the locations on Earth. There are many different kinds of maps used for varying purposes among geographers. Some of these types include general maps, cartograms and thematic maps. Special purpose maps, map scales and map projections are all used as tools for charting the Earth's formations, landforms and civilizations.
In addition to maps, geographers use geographic information systems, or GIS, to change how maps are created and viewed. Using spatial analysis techniques, this tool is a technological apparatus used to probe the Earth. Whatever the GIS finds is linked directly to databases, making the recording of information and discoveries much easier to access and update with fewer margins for error.
As far as the methodology used within the field of physical geography, there agreement that the Earth is the "real" world. This means that findings among the physical, chemical and biological world are all measurable and follow the laws of physics. Thus, scientists and geographers approach studies and experiments with similar frames of mind and with similar purposes.
Because there are not laws of human nature as there are in the physical world, the methods of human geographers differ slightly than those of physical or natural geographers. Methods account for the certain degree of order in human geography, including the measurability and potential for analysis of subjects and phenomena. However, methods account for the relation between the scientist or geographer and the people she is studying.