Key Methods in Geography

by Nicholas Clifford

• ISBN13: 9781412935081
• ISBN10: 1412935083
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-06-15
• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd

Summary

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 readingThe 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.

Table of Contents

Getting Started in Geographical Research

Getting Started in Geographical Research: How This Book Can Help

How to Conduct a Literature Search

Ethical Practice in Geographical Research

Health and Safety in the Field

Generating and Working With Data in Human Geography

Making Use of Secondary Data

Conducting Questionnaire Surveys

Finding Historical Sources

Semi-structured Interviews and Focus Groups

Participant Observation

Geography and the Interpretation of Visual Imagery

Participatory Research Methods

Working in Different Cultures

Internet Mediated Research

Diaries as a Research Method

Generating and Working With Data in Physical Geography

Getting Information About the Past: Palaeo and Historical Data Sources of Climate

Making Observations and Measurements in the Field

Sampling in Geography

Analysing a Natural System

Numerical Modelling in Physical Geography: Understanding Explanation and Prediction in Physical Geography

Using Remotely Sensed Imagery

Representing and Interpreting Geographical Data

Data Handling and Representation

Mapping and Graphicacy

Using Statistics to Describe and Explore Data

An Introduction to Geostatistics

Using Geographical Information Systems

Statistical Analysis Using PASW (formerly SPSS)

Coding Transcripts and Diaries

Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis

Analysing Historical and Archival Sources

Analysing Cultural Texts

Writing Essays, Reports and Dissertations

Understanding Assessment

Glossary

Index

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