Research

2025

The Field Guide to Mixing Social and Biophysical Methods in Environmental Research (free e-book)

Despite ongoing debates about its origins, the Anthropocene—a new epoch characterized by significant human impact on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems—is widely acknowledged. Our environment is increasingly a product of interacting biophysical and social forces, shaped by climate change, colonial legacies, gender norms, hydrological processes, and more. Understanding these intricate interactions requires a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative and quantitative, biophysical and social research.

However, mixed-methods environmental research remains rare, hindered by academic boundaries, limited training, and the challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration. Time, funding, and the integration of diverse data further complicate this research, whilst the dynamics and ethics of interdisciplinary teams add another layer of complexity.

Despite these challenges, mixed-methods research offers a more robust and ultimately transformative understanding of environmental questions. This Field Guide aims to inspire and equip researchers to undertake such studies. Organized like a recipe book, it assists researchers in the preparation of their field work, as well as offering entry points to key methods and providing examples of successful mixed-methods projects.

This book will be of interest to scholars wishing to tackle environmental research in a more holistic manner, spanning ‘sister’ disciplines such as anthropology, statistics, political science, public health, archaeology, geography, history, ecology, and Earth science.

Edited by Rebecca Lave and Stuart Lane

2023

Key Methods in Geography

Key Methods in Geography is an introductory companion, providing an overview of qualitative and quantitative methods for human and physical geography. The fourth edition of this essential and accessible primer covers the breadth of the discipline and offer critical and contextual perspectives on research methods. New coverage takes account of newer technologies and practice, and 9 new chapters bring greater diversity of positionality and perspective to the volume, including decolonial methods, predicting, visualizing and modelling climate and environmental change, and writing up research. Case study examples, summaries and exercises have been included in each chapter to enable learning.
This is vital reading for any student undertaking a Geography Methods module as well as a valuable resource for any student embarking on independent research as part of their degree.

Edited by Nicholas Clifford, Meghan Cope, and Thomas Gillespie

June 2021

Navigating the Field.

Postgraduate Experiences in Social Research

This volume is a collation of postgraduate fieldwork experiences in social research that provides a platform for early career researchers (ECRs) to be open about the hidden labour of doing postgraduate fieldwork. This book documents diverse fieldwork experiences, gathering critical reflections on ‘the field’ from a wide range of ECRs. The issues presented here go from the process of identifying the field to navigating life in (and after) it, including things that happen in-between.

Edited by Mildred Oiza Ajebon, Connie Y. M. Kwong, Diego Astorga De Ita
Springer

March 2021

Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography

Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography is a practical, in-depth guide to understanding and conducting qualitative research in human geography. Reflecting both established and modern methods and written by some of the most authoritative voices in the discipline, the text teaches students how to plan, execute, interpret, and effectively communicate qualitative research. Organized into three parts, the fifth edition is a comprehensive, engaging resource for both students and new researchers in the field.

Edited by Iain Hay and Meghan Cope.
Fifth Edition. Oxford University Press.

January 2021

Creative Methods for Human Geographers

Introducing a broad range of innovative and creative qualitative methods, this accessible book shows you how to use them in research project while providing straightforward advice on how to approach every step of the process; from planning and organisation to writing up and disseminating research.
The authors provide a complete toolkit for conducting research in this field, while ensuring the most cutting-edge methods are unintimidating to the reader..

Edited by Nadia von Benzon, Mark Holton, Catherine Wilkinson, Samantha Wilkinson, SAGE.

April 2021

Spatial Statistical Methods for Geography

This accessible new textbook offers a straightforward introduction to doing spatial statistics. Grounded in real world examples, it shows you how to extend traditional statistical methods for use with spatial data.

The book assumes basic mathematical and statistics knowledge but also provides a handy refresher guide, so that you can develop your understanding and progress confidently.

Peter A. Rogerson, Sage.