Practising Human Geography

Practising Human Geography

by Mark Goodwin (Author), Mark Goodwin (Author), Ian Cook (Author), Paul Cloke (Author), Philip Crang (Author), Joe Painter (Author)

Synopsis

'Filling an enormous gap in the geographic literature, here is a terrific book that shows us how to think about and practice human geographic research' - Professor Jennifer Wolch, University of Southern California

`Practising Human Geography lucidly, comprehensively, and sometimes passionately shows why methodology matters, and why it is often so hard. To choose a method is to choose the kind of geographical values one wants to uphold. You need to get it right.These authors do' - Trevor Barnes, University of British Columbia

`Practising Human Geography is a godsend for students. Written in an accessible and engaging style, the book demystifies the study of geographical methodology, offering a wealth of practical advice from the authors' own research experience. This is not a manual of approved geographical techniques. It is a reflexive, critical and highly personal account, combining historical depth with up-to-the-minute examples of research in practice. Practising Human Geography is a comprehensive and theoretically informed introduction to the practices of fieldwork, data collection, interpretation and writing, enabling students to make sense of their own data and to develop a critical perspective on the existing literature. The book makes complicated ideas approachable through the effective use of case studies and a firm grasp of contemporary debates' - Peter Jackson, Professor of Human Geography, University of Sheffield

Practising Human Geography is a critical introduction to key issues in the practice of human geography, informed by the question 'how do geographers do research?' In examining those methods and practices that are essential to doing geography, the text presents a theoretically-informed discussion of the construction and interpretation of geographical data - including: the use of core research methodologies; using official and non-official sources; and the interpretative role of the researcher.

Framed by an overview of how ideas of practising human geography have changed, the twelve chapters offer a comprehensive and integrated overview of research methodologies. The text is illustrated throughout with text boxes, case studies, and definitions of key terms. Practising Human Geography will introduce geographers - from undergraduate to faculty - to the core issues that inform research design and practice.

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More Information

Format: Illustrated
Pages: 432
Edition: First
Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
Published: 21 Apr 2004

ISBN 10: 0761973001
ISBN 13: 9780761973003

Media Reviews
`Practising Human Geography is a god-send for students. Written in an accessible and engaging style, the book demystifies the study of geographical methodology, offering a wealth of practical advice from the authors' own research experience. This is not a manual of approved geographical techniques. It is a reflexive, critical and highly personal account, combining historical depth with up-to-the-minute examples of research in practice. Practising Human Geography is a comprehensive and theoretically informed introduction to the practices of fieldwork, data collection, interpretation and writing, enabling students to make sense of their own data and to develop a critical perspective on the existing literature. The book makes complicated ideas approachable through the effective use of case studies and a firm grasp of contemporary debates' - Peter Jackson, Professor of Human Geography, University of Sheffield
Author Bio
Ian is a cultural geographer with longstanding interests in material geographies, multi-sited ethnographic research, connective aesthetics and critical pedagogy. He combines these in/as `follow the thing` work. In recent years he has added to these interests new media ecology and commodity activism, after experimenting with blogging as a means to write collaboratively about the geographies of food, and with web design to create followthethings.com, a spoof online shop, resource, database and fieldsite stocked with provocative `follow the thing` work by academics, students, filmmakers, artists, journalists and others. Within Geography at Exeter, Ian is Director of Communications and External Relations and Equality and Diversity rep. Ian is also the cultural geography editor of Geography Compass and serves on the editorial boards of Qualitative Research and Geography. He is an Associate of the Social Sculpture Research Unit at Oxford Brookes University, an academic advisory board member of Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior, and a trustee of the Geographical Association. Ian often writes as `Ian Cook et al` in order to acknowledge the collaborative nature of all of his work. Career Ian graduated from UCL in 1986 with a BSc in Human Sciences, from the University of Kentucky in 1992 with an MA in Human Geography, and from the University of Bristol in 1997 with a PhD in Human Geography. He began his academic career at the University of Wales, Lampeter (1993-9), then worked at the University of Birmingham (1999-2007), before moving to Exeter in August 2007. Professor Joe Painter focuses mainly on the prosaic geographies of the state. Chris Philo was a Lecturer at the University of Wales, Lampeter, before becoming, in 1995, Professor of Geography at the University of Glasgow. He specialises in the history and theory of geographical thought, as well as the historical and social geographies of 'madness', 'outsiders' of all kinds and human-animal relations.