质性方法研究空间的潜能与挑战——评Heinrich,A.J.,Marguin,S.,Million,A.&Stollmann,J.(编)《空间研究的质性与视觉方法手册》

《空间研究的质性与视觉研究方法手册》是第一部试图全面地对跨学科化发展的空间研究质性方法进行概述、提供总览的工具书。本书对当下全球语境中应用于一般性空间现象研究的,在不同认识论指导下发展的基本空间理论、研究问题与方法之间的关系进行了梳理和评述。本书作者通过剖析关键案例,讨论了20余种质性方法在空间研究应用中呈现的潜力和挑战。本书可贵之处在于:1)它将所指“空间”定位为对社会化形态进行分析的形式概念,而非具体的经验或隐喻性概念;2)它超越纯粹方法论,反思空间研究方法在特定文化和时空中的根植性;3)它引介实践领域的空间分析方法,讨论和反思了质性方法和其他方法在空间研究中的混合应用的可能性。

s:The Handbook of Qualitative and Visual Research Methods in Spatial Studies pioneers in providing a comprehensive overview of qualitative spatial research methods developed across the disciplines.The book has discussed how several foundational spatial theories underpinned by different epistemological premises relate to specific research questions and methods in the commonly studied socio-spatial phenomena in global context.Following this,illustrated by key case studies,it discusses on the potentials and challenges imposed by more than 20 qualitative socio-spatial research approaches.The book stands out for 1)it distinguishes“space”as a formal analytical conceptualization from an empirical or a metaphorical notion;2)it goes beyond the technicality of the spatial research methods,reflects on their rootedness in particular culture and space-time;3)it bridges analytical methods from practice-oriented fields of space studies with theoretical ones,presents innovative mixedmethod applications in socio-spatial research.