Researching Human Geography

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"Researching Human Geography" is an essential new text for any geography student about to embark on a research project. An understanding of how different theories of knowledge have influenced research methodologies is crucial in planning and designing effective research; this book makes this link clear and explores how various philosophical positions, from positivism to post-structuralism, have become associated with particular methodologies. The book gives an overview of a wide range of methods and data collection, both quantitative and qualitative, and explores their strengths and weaknesses for different kinds of research. "Researching Human Geography" also looks at the various techniques available for the analysis of data, which is presented as an integral and ongoing part of the research process. Clearly written, with extensive use of examples from previous research to show 'methodology in action', this new text is an invaluable addition to both the theory and method of research in human geography.

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Researching Human Geography First published in Great Britain in 2002 by Arnold, a member of the Hodder Headline Group, 338 Euston Road, London NWI 3BH http://www.arnoldpublishers.com Co-published in the United States of America by Oxford University Press Inc., 198 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10016 © 2002 Keith Hoggart, Loretta Lees and Anna Davies All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without either prior permission in writing from the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying. In the United Kingdom such licences are issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London WIP OLP. The advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of going to press, but neither the authors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress ISBN 0 340 67674 4 (hb) ISBN 0 340 67675 2 (pb) I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Production Editor Anke Ueberberg Production Controller. lain McWilliams Cover Design: Terry Griffiths Typeset in I0/I4pt Gill Light by Phoenix Photosetting, Chatham, Kent Printed and bound in Great Britain by MPG Books Ltd, Bodmin, Cornwall What do you think about this book? Or any other Arnold title? Please send your comments to [email protected] Contents Preface 1 Method and mithodology in humabn geography Scientific methodologies Hemeneutics and interpretatve human geography Beyond representation The politics of research 2 Research design Problem identification Getting started Multi-methos and multi-level analysis Designing a project 3 By the book? Using published data What else are we going to use? Then why be cautious? Can we improve on limitations? Appreciating the balance 4 Behind the scenes: archives and dicumentary records What types of documentary sources? Problems of coverage Getting down to it Extrating messages Messages and sources 5 Superficial encounters: social survey methods But are surveys valid? Types of surveys What is a pilot study? The informants The information Limitationms on strengths iii 6 Close enco