The following is shameless self-promotion of a new textbook written by
myself and Nick Tate, now available in all good bookstores. Hopefully it
should be of interest to all list members (sorry for cross-posts).
CONDUCTING RESEARCH IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: THEORY, METHODOLOGY AND PRACTICE,
Prentice Hall, ISBN 0582-29797-4
by Rob Kitchin and Nicholas J. Tate
Blurb from back of book
Reading this book is your first step to becoming a competent human
geography researcher. Whether you are a novice needing practical help for
your first piece of research or a professional in search of an accessible
guide to best practice, Conducting Research in Human
Geography is a unique and indispensable book to have at hand.
The book provides a broad overview of theoretical underpinnings in
contemporary human geography and links these with the main research
methodologies currently being used. It is designed to guide the user
through the complete research process, whether it be a one day field study
or a large project, from the nurturing of ideas and development of a
proposal, to the design of an enquiry, the generation and analysis of data,
to the drawing of conclusions and the presentation of findings.
* explicitly links theory and practice
* covers quantitative, qualitative and spatial research methods and sources
of data
* provides step-by-step explanation using real world data from all areas of
human geography
* uses both hand-worked and computer-based examples
* extensively illustrated (80+ figures)
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Thinking about research
1.1 What is research?
1.2 Why do research?
1.3 What's unique about geographic research?
1.4 What choice of approaches have you got?
1.5 Which approach is best?
1.6 Summary
1.7 Questions for reflection
Further reading
2. Planning a research project
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Choosing a research topic
2.3 Narrowing the focus
2.4 Linking theory and practice
2.5 Research design
2.6 Choosing a method to generate data
2.7 Choosing a method to analyse your data
2.8 Conducting group research
2.9 Managing and piloting a research project
2.10 Summary
Further reading
3. Data generation for quantitative data analysis
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Classifying data types and measurement scales
3.3 Generating primary quantitative data
3.4 Sampling, estimation and distribution
3.5 Obtaining and using secondary data
3.6 Summary
3.7 Questions for reflection
Further reading
4. Preparing, exploring and describing quantitative data
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Data pre-processing and checking
4.3 Computer programming
4.4 Using the MINITAB statistical package
4.5 Initial data analysis
4.6 Probability
4.7 Transforming data
4.8 Summary
4.9 Questions for reflection
Further reading
5. Analysing and interpreting quantitative data
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Classifying tests
5.3 Tests of significance
5.4 Choosing the right test
5.5 The tests
5.6 Parametric tests
5.7 Non-parametric tests
5.8 What do the test results tell you?
5.9 Summary
5.10 Questions for reflection
Further reading
6. Spatial analysis
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Maps
6.3 Geographical information systems
6.4 Current issues in the use of GIS for socio-economic applications
6.5 Sources of digital spatial data
6.6 Planning and implementing analysis using GIS
6.7 Spatial Statistics
6.8 Summary
6.9 Questions for reflection
Further Reading
7. Producing data for qualitative analysis
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Qualitative approaches
7.3 Primary data production
7.4 Specific approaches to producing qualitative data
7.5 Secondary sources of qualitative data
7.6 Summary
7.7 Questions for reflection
Further reading
8. Analysing and interpreting qualitative data
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Description, classification, conection
8.3 Transcribing and annotating
8.4 Categorising qualitative data
8.5 Splitting and splicing
8.6 Linking and connecting
8.7 Corrobating evidence
8.8 Analysing qualitative data quantitatively
8.9 Summary
8.10 Questions for reflection
Further reading
9. Analysing qualitative data using a computer (using NUDIST)
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Getting started
9.3 Classifying qualitative data using a computer
9.4 Connecting qualitative data using a computer
9.5 Summary
9.6 Questions for reflection
Further reading
10. Writing-up and dissemination
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Writing as part of the research process
10.3 Writing a final report
10.4 Presenting your research as a talk
10.5 Before submitting your work
10.6 After submitting your work
10.7 Summary
10.8 Questions for reflection
Further reading
11. Final words
11.1 An overview of conducting research in human geography
11.2 Coping with problems
11.3 Independent research
11.4 Epilogue
11.5 Summary
Appendices
References
Index
Book web-site: http://www.may.ie/staff/rkitchin/books/research/resbook.htm
=======================================================
TO ORDER INSPECTION COPIES
UK/EUROPE
Tel: (+44) 1279 623925
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
NORTH AMERICA:
Tel: (+1) 781 944 3700
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
AUSTRALASIA:
Tel: +613 9670 3444
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
=======================================================
=========================================================
Dr Rob Kitchin,
Department of Geography,
National University of Ireland,
Maynooth,
County Kildare,
Ireland.
Tel: +353 1 708 3372
Fax: +353 1 708 3573
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Alt. E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.may.ie/staff/rkitchin/
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