Key Methods in Geography / Edition 2

by Nicholas Clifford, Shaun French, Gill Valentine

Overview

This is a completely revised and updated edition of the best-selling, standard student resource.

Key Methods in Geography is an introduction for undergraduates to the principal methodological issues involved in the collection, analysis and presentation of geographical information. It provides an accessible overview, which will be used by students as a reference throughout their degree, on all issues from research design to presentation. A unique feature of the book is that it provides definitions of terms from both human geography and physical geography; especially relevant now that environment is so critical to our understanding of geography.

Organized into four parts: Getting Started in Geographical Research; Data Collection in Human Geography; Data Collection in Physical Geography; Analysing and Representing Geographical Data - each chapter comprises:

• a short definition

• a summary of the principal arguments

• a substantive 5,000-word discussion

• use of real-life examples

• annotated notes for further reading

The teaching of research methods is integral in all geography courses. Written in an accessible way - by established figures in the discipline - the text provides thorough explanations of key methods and their applications, illustrated with everyday examples. Key Methods in Geography identifies the key analytical and observational strategies with which all UK geography undergraduates must understand to complete their degree.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412935098
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	06/18/2010
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	568
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Nick Clifford is Professor and Head of Department at King’s College London.

Shaun French is Associate Professor in Economic Geography at the University of Nottingham.

Professor Valentine has held prestigious international visiting fellowships at the Universities of Sydney, Australia and Otago, New Zealand and has visited and given keynote addresses at a range of prestigious international conferences. She was co-founder and co-editor of the international journal Social and Cultural Geography, and co-edited Gender, Place and Culture. She has undertaken international research in Europe, Africa and the USA and is committed to developing the University of Sheffield's international strategy within the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Table of Contents

Notes on Contributors ix

List of Figures xvi

List of Tables xix

Acknowledgements xxi

Getting Started in Geographical Research 1

1 Getting Started in Geographical Research: how this book can help Nick Clifford Shaun French Gill Valentine 3

2 How to Conduct a Literature Search Mick Healey Ruth L. Healey 16

3 Ethical Practice in Geographical Research Iain Hay 35

4 Health and Safety in the Field Joanna Bullard 49

Generating and Working With Data in Human Geography 59

5 Making Use of Secondary Data Paul White 61

6 Conducting Questionnaire Surveys Sara L. McLafferty 77

7 Finding Historical Sources Miles Ogborn 89

8 Semi-structured Interviews and Focus Groups Robyn Longhurst 103

9 Participant Observation Eric Laurier 116

10 Geography and the Interpretation of Visual Imagery Rob Bartram 131

11 Participatory Research Methods Myrna M. Breitbart 141

12 Working in Different Cultures Fiona M. Smith 157

13 Internet Mediated Research Clare Madge 173

14 Diaries as a Research Method Alan Latham 189

Generating and Working with Data in Physical Geography 203

15 Getting Information about the Past: Palaeo and Historical Data Sources of Climate Catherine Souch 205

16 Making Observations and Measurements in the Field Alice Turkington 220

17 Sampling in Geography Stephen Rice 230

18 Analysing a Natural System Ellen Wohl 253

19 Numerical Modelling in Physical Geography: Understanding Explanation and Prediction in Physical Geography Stuart N. Lane 274

20 Using Remotely Sensed Imagery Paul Aplin 299

Representing and Interpreting Geographical Data 315

21 Data Handling and Representation Richard Field 317

22 Mapping and Graphicacy Chris Perkins 350

23 Using Statistics to Describe and Explore Data Danny Dorling 374

24 An Introduction to Geostatistics Adrian Chappell 386

25 Using Geographical Information Systems Michael Batty 408

26 Statistical Analysis Using PASW (formerly SPSS) John H. McKendrick 423

27 Coding Transcripts and Diaries Meghan Cope 440

28 Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Bettina van Hoven 453

29 Analysing Historical and Archival Sources lain S. Black 466

30 Analysing Cultural Texts Marcus A. Doel 485

31 Writing Essays, Reports and Dissertations Michael Bradford 497

32 Understanding Assessment Robin A. Kearns 513

Glossary 528

Index 537

Editorial Reviews

'An excellent and very comprehensive text and highly recommended for all our undergraduates (around 120 students). The topics covered are very important for undergraduate dissertations and even postgraduate work. It is much more comprehensive than some other texts and is much more specific to the environmental/spatial sciences. This is definitely a text that will be strongly recommended to our students'

Dr. Paul McKenzie

'The second edition of Key Methods in Geography, part of what is now a well-established series, offers a broadly conceived overview of the planning, execution and presentation of geographical research. Its range is far broader than the majority of methods texts, being concerned with both human and physical geography. The book also tackles all-too-often neglected contexts of research such as health and safety ethics. In doing so, it makes clear that these should be seen more as form-filling hurdles to be negotiated before hitting the field. In addition, the volume covers areas - such as conducting a literature search, writing essays, reports and dissertations and understanding assessment - that technically lie beyond the remit suggested in the title, but that undoubtedly enhance its impact. Given the seriousness with which Key Methods in Geography approaches all aspects of research, it will continue to find wide favour among undergraduate geographers...the influence of the editors is apparent in the consistency of tone, style and pitch among the book's 35 contributors. All of the authors are experienced in the area they discuss and offer a general overview rather than one overly focused on their own research. Clearly the editors recognise their audience well and have briefed accordingly'

Tim Hall

'All geographers, whatever their interest, need to do research. This book will help them get started in the best possible way, with thoughtful advice on everything from project design, through choice of methods, to data analysis and presentation. The editors have assembled an impressive array of authors, all experts in their chosen field. It will be an especially stimulating source for geography students embarking on their undergraduate dissertations'

Professor Tim Burt

'An excellent and very comprehensive text and highly recommended for all our undergraduates (around 120 students). The topics covered are very important for undergraduate dissertations and even postgraduate work. It is much more comprehensive than some other texts and is much more specific to the environmental/spatial sciences. This is definitely a text that will be strongly recommended to our students'

Dr. Paul Mc Kenzie

The second edition of Key Methods in Geography, part of what is now a well-established series, offers a broadly conceived overview of the planning, execution and presentation of geographical research. Its range is far broader than the majority of methods texts, being concerned with both human and physical geography. The book also tackles all-too-often neglected contexts of research such as health and safety ethics. in doing so, it makes clear that these should be seen more as form-filling hurdles to be negotiated before hitting the field. in addition, the volume covers areas - such as conducting a literature search, writing essays, reports and dissertations and understanding assessment - that technically liebeyond the remit suggested in the title, but that undoubtably enhance its inpact. Given the seriousness with which Key Methods in Geography approaches all aspects of research, it will continue to find wide favour amoung undergraduate geographers...the influence of the editors is apparent in the consistancy of tone, style and pitch among the book's 35 contributors. All of the authors are experienced in the area they discuss and offer a general overview rather than one overly focused on their own research. clearly the editors recognise their audience well and have briefed accordingly
Tim Hall, University of Gloucestershire
Times Higher Education Textbook Guide

All geographers, whatever their interest, need to do research. This book will help them get started in the best possible way, with thoughtful advice on everything from project design, through choice of methods, to data analysis and presentation. The editors have assembled an impressive array of authors, all experts in their chosen field. It will be an especially stimulating source for geography students embarking on their undergraduate dissertations
Professor Tim Burt
University of Durham

An excellent and very comprehensive text and highly recommended for all our undergraduates (around 120 students). The topics covered are very important for undergraduate dissertations and even postgraduate work. It is much more comprehensive than some other texts and is much more specific to the environmental/spatial sciences. This is definitely a text that will be strongly recommended to our students

Dr. Paul Mc Kenzie
School of Environmental Sciences

University of Ulster

From the Publisher

This excellent book remains the most comprehensive and accessible introduction to research methods in Geography today. The new edition will be essential reading for any student undertaking independent research as part of their degree

Noel Castree

A new generation of scholars explain how to get started with geographical research. Geography is an academic subject that rapidly evolves. What was in vogue on year can soon be passé. However, Key Methods in Geography provides a mixture that both preserves the best of the past and introduces what is both more new and most promising. Unnecessary verbiage is out – clarity is in. Practical, accessible careful and interesting, this greatly updated and revised volume brings the subject up-to-date and explains in bite sized chunks the hows and whys of modern day geographical study that begins to brings together physical and human approaches again in a new synthesis.

Danny Dorling

This collection is a valuable resource for geography students and researchers at all levels, in human geography, physical geography, and GIScience. It stands apart from many methods texts by speaking to the complete research process – from conceptualizing and designing geographical research, to collecting and analyzing many different forms of evidence, to representing results and finding in diverse ways. The volume is noteworthy in the breadth of methods it includes, spanning classic approaches that have been foundational to geographical scholarship and some of the discipline’s newest and most innovative methodological practices.

Sarah Elwood

Read More