An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography

by Daniel Montello

• ISBN13: 9781412902861
• ISBN10: 141290286X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-03-13
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods explains the key elements of scientific philosophy and basic research concepts. It discusses all parts of the research process, including:- generating research ideas- communicating research and using library resources- sampling and research design; reliability and validity- quantitative and qualitative data collection; data analysis, display, and interpretation- the use of geographic information techniquesConceptual points are illustrated throughout with examples and demonstrated with specific exercises.The text applies the research philosophy and methods of the social and behavioral sciences to topics in human geography. The text is intended for undergraduate and graduate geography courses on research methods; it will be valuable as a reference work or primer for students, faculty, and other professionals who want a concise and integrated introduction to research methods in human geography.

Table of Contents

Preface: An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography	ix
Acknowledgments	xv
1. Introduction: A Scientific Approach to Geography	1	(16)
Learning Objectives	1	(2)
Overview of the Logic and Philosophy of Science	3	(7)
Characteristic Metaphysical Beliefs of Scientists	5	(2)
Nonscientific Ways of Knowing	7	(1)
Goals of Science	8	(2)
History and Philosophical Systems of the Discipline of Geography: Natural Science, Social Science, and Humanities	10	(3)
Review Questions	13	(1)
Key Terms	13	(3)
Bibliography	16	(1)
2. Fundamental Research Concepts	17	(18)
Learning Objectives	17	(1)
Idea Concepts	17	(4)
Empirical Concepts	21	(6)
The Concept of Scale in Geography	27	(1)
Generating Research Ideas	28	(2)
Review Questions	30	(1)
Key Terms	30	(3)
Bibliography	33	(2)
3. Data Collection in Geography: Overview	35	(10)
Learning Objectives	35	(1)
Primary and Secondary Data Sources	36	(1)
Types of Data Collection in Geography	36	(2)
An Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Methods	38	(3)
Review Questions	41	(1)
Key Terms	42	(1)
Bibliography	43	(2)
4. Physical Measurements	45	(20)
Learning Objectives	45	(1)
Physical Measurements in Physical Geography	46	(10)
Geodetic Measurement	47	(2)
Physical Measurements of Earth Systems	49	(7)
Physical Measurements in Human Geography	56	(2)
Review Questions	58	(1)
Key Terms	58	(5)
Bibliography	63	(2)
5. Behavioral Observations and Archives	65	(16)
Learning Objectives	65	(1)
Behavioral Observations	66	(3)
Archives	69	(1)
Coding Open-Ended Records	70	(8)
Example Coding	72	(3)
Coding Reliability and Validity	75	(3)
Review Questions	78	(1)
Key Terms	79	(1)
Bibliography	80	(1)
6. Explicit Reports: Surveys, Interviews, and Tests	81	(30)
Learning Objectives	81	(3)
Format of Explicit Reports	84	(5)
Rating Scales	87	(2)
The Administration of Explicit Reports	89	(4)
Using the Internet to Collect Explicit Reports	91	(2)
Designing and Generating Explicit Instruments	93	(2)
The Census: An Important Secondary Source of Explicit Report Data for Geographers	95	(6)
What Do U.S. Census Data Look Like and How Can You Obtain Some?	98	(3)
Limitations of Explicit Reports	101	(3)
Review Questions	104	(1)
Key Terms	105	(3)
Bibliography	108	(3)
7. Experimental and Nonexperimental Research Designs	111	(26)
Learning Objectives	111	(1)
Empirical Control in Research	112	(6)
Laboratory vs. Field (Naturalistic) Settings	117	(1)
Basic Research Designs	118	(7)
Specific Research Designs	119	(3)
Developmental Designs (Change over Time)	122	(2)
Single-Case and Multiple-Case Designs	124	(1)
Computational Modeling	125	(7)
Steps of Computational Modeling	129	(3)
Review Questions	132	(1)
Key Terms	132	(4)
Bibliography	136	(1)
8. Sampling	137	(20)
Learning Objectives	137	(2)
Sampling Frames and Sampling Designs	139	(5)
Implications of Sampling Frames and Designs	144	(3)
Nonparticipation and Volunteer Biases	146	(1)
Spatial Sampling from Continuous Fields	147	(4)
Sample Size	151	(2)
Review Questions	153	(1)
Key Terms	153	(3)
Bibliography	156	(1)
9. Statistical Data Analysis	157	(28)
Learning Objectives	157	(1)
Statistical Description	158	(6)
Statistical Inference	164	(9)
Estimation and Hypothesis Testing	168	(5)
Data in Space and Place: Introduction to Geospatial Analysis	173	(5)
Review Questions	178	(1)
Key Terms	179	(5)
Bibliography	184	(1)
10. Data Display: Tables, Graphs, Maps, Visualizations	185	(28)
Learning Objectives	185	(3)
Guidelines for Designing Displays	188	(15)
Tables	190	(2)
Graphs	192	(7)
Maps	199	(4)
New Trends in Scientific Visualization	203	(3)
Review Questions	206	(1)
Key Terms	207	(4)
Bibliography	211	(2)
11. Reliability and Validity	213	(18)
Learning Objectives	213	(1)
Reliability	213	(3)
Validity	216	(8)
Internal Validity	217	(2)
External Validity	219	(1)
Construct Validity	220	(2)
Statistical Conclusion Validity	222	(2)
Researcher-Case Artifacts	224	(2)
Review Questions	226	(1)
Key Terms	227	(2)
Bibliography	229	(2)
12. Geographic Information Techniques in Research	231	(26)
Learning Objectives	231	(1)
Geographic Information	232	(7)
Data Models and Data Structures	236	(3)
Remotely Sensed Geographic Information	239	(3)
Geographic Information Systems	242	(8)
Information Storage	243	(1)
Data Query and Display	244	(2)
Data Manipulation and Analysis	246	(4)
Review Questions	250	(1)
Key Terms	251	(3)
Bibliography	254	(3)
13. Scientific Communication in Geography	257	(22)
Learning Objectives	257	(6)
Peer Review System for Academic Publishing	263	(4)
The Basic Structure of a Journal Manuscript: The One-Study Empirical Article	267	(6)
Two Aspects of Style in Scientific Writing	271	(2)
Using the Library for Scientific Research	273	(2)
Review Questions	275	(1)
Key Terms	276	(2)
Bibliography	278	(1)
14. Ethics in Scientific Research	279	(14)
Learning Objectives	279	(3)
Treating the Natural and Cultural World Ethically	282	(2)
Treating Human Research Subjects Ethically	284	(6)
Institutional Human Subjects Review	287	(1)
A Case Study for Geographic Research: The Ethics of Tracking People	288	(2)
Review Questions	290	(1)
Key Terms	290	(2)
Bibliography	292	(1)
Index	293	(10)
About the Authors	303