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.
Editorials
From the Publisher
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 accordinglyTim 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