Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geometry or poetry? Issues of methods and techniques in regional research

  • Research Note
  • Published:
Quality & Quantity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article begins with the assumption that the research and study of geographical, historical, socio-economic and cultural factors of a local community are prerequisites for intervention or developmental policies. Based on the views of Descartes and Hamann, it then goes on to look at the suitability of the methods, tools and techniques a researcher needs to use today in order to get a complete picture. A positive approach of social phenomena claims that social structures decisively affect an individual’s thought and action, and therefore focuses on the study of external factors. In contrast, an interpretative approach aims at understanding the meanings and motives that govern an individual’s life and behavior. The author concludes that research on both macro and micro levels are necessary for the understanding of social phenomena in a local society and the use of methodological pluralism (both quantitative and qualitative methods) is necessary for effective research as it takes into consideration the weight of history and allows the understanding of those factors which govern people’s lives and determine their behavior and interaction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adas, M.: Machines as the Measure of Men. Science, Technology, and Ideologies of Western Dominance. Translation in Greek by Skarpelos, G., Andron metron mihani. Epistimi, tehnologia ke ideologies tis ditikis kiriarhias. Nefeli, Athens (2003)

  • Appadurai A.: Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, U.: Was ist globalisierung? Irrtümer des globalismus—Antworten auf globalisierung. Translation in Greek by Pavlopoulos, G., prol. N. Kotzias, Ti ine i pagosmiopiisi? Lanthasmenes antilipsis ke apantisis. Kastaniotis, Athens (1999)

  • Berg N.D., Smith K.K.: Introduction. In: Berg, N.D., Smith, K.K. The Self in Social Inquiry. Researching methods, pp. 11–17. Sage, Newbury Park (1988)

  • Berlin, I.: The Roots of Romanticism. Translation in Greek by Papadimitriou, G., I rizes tou Romantismou. Scripta, Athens (2000)

  • Berlin, I.: Three Critics of the Enlightenment. Vico, Hamann, Herder. Translation in Greek by Mertikas, G., Lykiardopoulos, G., Tris kritiki tou Diafotismou. Kritiki, Athens (2002)

  • Berlin, I.: Against the Current: Essays in the History of Ideas. Translation in Greek by Kastanara, M.N., Vallianos, P., Kontra sto revma. Dokimia stin istoria ton ideon. Scripta, Athens (2003)

  • Bertaux, D.: L’ Approch Biographique: sa validité méthodologique, ses potentialites, pp. 197–225. Cahiers Internationaux de Sociologie, LXIX (1980)

  • Bertaux D.: Biography and Society. The Life History Approach in the Social Science. Sage, USA (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Besnier, J.-M.: Histoire de la philosophie moderne et contemporaine: Figures et œuvres. Translation in Greek by Papagiorgis, K., Istoria tis neoterikis ke syghronis filosophias. Fisiognomies ke erga. Kastaniotis, Athens (1999)

  • Bhabha H.: The Location of Culture. Routledge, London (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Byssade, J.-M.: Descartes. In: Châtelet, F. (ed.) La philosophie, vol. 2, De Galilée a J.J.-Rousseau, pp. 95–136. Translation in Greek by Papagiorgis, K., I filosophia.V. 2, Apo ton Galileo os ton Z.Z. Rousso. Gnosi, Athens (1985)

  • Cicourel A.V.: Method and Measurement in Sociology. The Free Press, New York (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen A.P.: The Symbolic Construction of Community. Ellis Horwood Ltd and Tavistock, London (1985)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cook D.: Safe and sound? Crime, disorder and community safety policies. In: May, M., Page, R., Brunsdon, E. Understanding Social Problems Issues in Social Policy, pp. 205–217. Blackwell, London (2001)

  • Cooke P.: Localities: The Changing Face of Urban Britain. Unwin Hyman, London (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooke P.: Back to the Future: Modernity, Postmodernity and Locality. Unwin Hyman, London (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  • Corti L.: Re-using archived qualitative data—where, how, why?. Arch. Sci. 7, 37–54 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denzin N.K., Lincoln Y.S.: Introduction. Entering the field of qualitative research. In: Denzin, N.K., Lincoln, Y.S. (eds) The Landscape of Qualitative Research. Theories and Issues, pp. 1–34. Sage, USA (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  • Descartes: Discours de la Méthode. Translation in Greek by Hristidis, H., Logos peri tis methodou. Papazisis, Athens (1976)

  • Descartes: Meditationes de Prima Philosophia. Translation in Greek by Vandarakis, E., Stohasmi peri tis protis philosophias. Ekremes, Athens (2003)

  • Desmond J.: Meanings in Motion. New Cultural Studies of Dance. Duke University Press, London (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  • Geertz Cl.: Local Knowledge: Further Essays in Interpretive Anthropology. Basic Books, Inc., New York (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Geffou-Madianou D.: Culture and Ethnography. From Ethnographic Realism to Cultural Critique Greek Text, Politismos ke ethnografia Apo ton ethnografiko realismo stin politismiki kritiki. Ellinika Grammata, Athens (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Giddens A.: New Rules of Sociological Method: A Positive Critique of Interpretative Sociologies. Hutchinson, London (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouhier H.: La pensée métaphysique de Descartes. Vrin, Paris (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham E.: Breaking out: the opportunities and challenges of multi-method research in population geography. Prof. Geogr. 51(1), 76–89 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hallpike C.R.: The Foundation of Primitive Thought. Claredon Press, Oxford (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hannerz U.: Cultural Complexity: Studies in the Social Organization of Meaning. Columbia University Press, New York (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobsbawm E.: The Nation and Globalization. Constellations 5(1), 1–9 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horkheimer, M.: Zeitschrift für sozialforschung. (Traditional and Critic Theory). Translation in Greek by Georgiou, Th., Markidis, M., Paradosiaki ke kritiki theoria. Erasmos, Athens (1983)

  • Kondilis P.: European Enlightenment Greek Text, O Evropaikos Diafotismos V. 1. Themelio, Athens (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyriazi N.: Sociological Research Critical Review of Methods and Techmiques Greek text I kinoniologiki erevna Kritiki episkopisi ton methodon ke ton tehnikon. Ellinika Grammata, Athens (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Layton E.: Mirror—Image Twins: the communities of science and technology in 19th-century America. Technol. Cult. 12(4), 562–580 (1971)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Little D.: Varieties of Social Explanation. Westview Books, Boulder (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lupton D.: Food, the Body and the Self. Sage, London (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lydaki A.: Balame and Roma. The Gypsies of Ano Liosia Greek Text, Balame ke Roma I Tsigani ton Ano Liosion. Kastaniotis, Athens (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lydaki A.: Gypsies in the City. Growing up in Saint Barbara Greek Text, I Tsigani stin poli. Megalonontas stin Agia Varvara. Kastaniotis, Athens (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lydaki A.: Qualitative Methods of Social Research. Greek Text, Piotikes methodi tis kinonikis erevnas. Kastaniotis, Athens (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lydaki A.: Gypsies and Tradition. Roma in Greece. Greek Text, Tsigani ke paradosi, I Roma stin Ellada, pp. 231–249. Elliniki Eteria Ethnologias, Athens (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lydaki A.: Shadows and Moonstruck Beings. Folklore and Cultural Meanings. Greek Text Iskii ki alafroiskioti Laikos logos ke politismikes simasies. Ellinika Grammata, Athens (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lydaki, A.: Autobiographical Words. Scientific Conference, Uses of Language, 3–5 December 2004, pp. 131–150. Greek text, Logos aftoviografikos. In: Epistimoniko Symposio, Hrisis tis glosas, 3–5 Dekemvriou 2004. Eteria spoudon neoellinikou politismou ke genikis pedias. Sxoli Moraiti, Athens (2005)

  • Lydaki, A.: Gypsy Women. In Pronai, C. (ed.) Gypsy Worlds in Europe, pp. 209–221. Hungarian text, Cigany nők. In: Pronai, C. (szerkesztette) Cigány világok Eurápában. Nyitott Kőnyvműhely Kiadó, Budapest (2006)

  • Martin M.: Verstehen. The Uses of Understanding in Social Science. Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Massey D.: Space, Place and Gender. Polite Press, Cambridge (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mauss, M.: Essai sur le don. Translation in Greek by Stamatopoulou, Paradelli, A., To doro. Morfes ke litourgies tis antalagis. Kastaniotis, Athens (1979)

  • Mayrowitz H.: No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behaviour. Oxford University Press, New York (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayrowitz H.: Medium theory. In: Crowley, D., Mitchell, D. (eds) Communication Theory Today, pp. 50–77. Polite Press, Cambridge (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Meraklis M.G.: Issues of Folklore. Greek Text, Laografika zitimata. Bouras, Athens (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills, C.W.: The Sociological Imagination. Translation in Greek by Makrinikola, N., Tsaknias, S., I kinoniologiki fantasia. Papazisis, Athens (1985)

  • Morin, E.: Sociologie. Translation in Greek by Dimoulas, D., Kinoniologia. Ekdosis tou Ikostou Protou, Athens (1998)

  • Papagiorgis K.: The Ontology by Martin Heidegger. Greek Text, I ontologia tou Martin Heidegger. Nefeli, Athens (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pigiaki P.: Ethnography. The Study of Human Being in Social and Educational Research. Greek Text Ethnografia. I meleti tis anthropinis diastasis stin kinoniologiki ke pedagogiki erevna. Grigori, Athens (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rifkin, J.: The Biotech Century. Translation in Greek by Alavanou, A., O eonas tis viotehnologias. Genetiko emporio ki h avgi tou thavmastou kenourgiou kosmou. Nea Sinora, Athens (1998)

  • Rokos D.: From Sustainable to Worth-Living Integrated Development. Greek Text Apo ti viosimi i aiforo stin axiovioti olokliromeni anaptixi. Livanis, Athens (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rokos, D. (ed.): The Integrated Development of Ipiros. Greek Text, I olokliromeni anaptixi tis Ipirou. The National Technical University of Athens. Metsovio Kentro Diepistimonikis erevnas tou Ethnikou Metsoviou Politehniou ke Idrima Anaptixis tou ME.K.D.E. tou Ethnikou Metsoviou Politehniou, Athens (2007)

  • Rossi, P.: La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa. Translation in Greek by Tsiamouras, P., I genesi tis syghronis epistimis stin Evropi. Ellinika Grammata, Athens (2004)

  • Roth P.A.: Meaning and Method in Social Sciences: A Case of Methodological Pluralism. Cornell University Press, USA (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sahlins M.: The sadness of sweetness: the native anthropology of western cosmology. Curr. Anthropol. 37, 395–415 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sahlins, M.: Culture and Practical Reason. Translation in Greek by Kourkoulos, N., Kalpourtzi, E. (prologue by Papataxiarhis, E., edited by Th. Paradelis) Politismos ke praktikos logos. Ekdosis tou Ikostou Protou, Athens (2003)

  • Staber U.: Contextualizing research on social capital in regional clusters. Int. J. Urban Reg. Res. 31(3), 505–521 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsiolis G.: Life Stories and Biographical Storytelling. The Biographical Approach in Sociological Research. Greek Text, Istories zois ke viografikes afigisis I viografiki prosegisi stin kinoniologiki erevna. Kritiki, Athens (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  • Urry J.: Locality, region and social class. Int. J. Urban Reg. Res. 5(4), 455–474 (1981)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urry J.: Sociology Beyond Societies: Mobilities for the Twenty-First Century. Routledge, London (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Urry J.: Mobility and proximity. Sociology 36(2), 255–274 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaimakis G.: Social Work in Local Societies. Greek Text, Kinotiki ergasia ke topikes kinonies: Anaptixi, sylogiki drasi, polypolitismikotita. Ellinika Grammata, Athens (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaimakis, G., Kallinikaki, Th.: Locality and Multiculturalism. Greek Text, Topikos horos ke polipolitismikotita. Sapes, Thraki. Ellinika Grammata, Athens (2004)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, 136, Syngrou Av., 17671, Athens, Greece

    Anna Lydaki

  2. Ymittou 233-235, 11632, Athens, Greece

    Anna Lydaki

Authors
  1. Anna Lydaki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anna Lydaki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lydaki, A. Geometry or poetry? Issues of methods and techniques in regional research. Qual Quant 46, 291–301 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-010-9352-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-010-9352-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation