An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography and Environmental Studies
- Daniel Montello - University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
- Paul Sutton - University of Denver, Colorado
- Joseph Mallalieu, School of Geography, Leeds University
"Montello and Sutton is one of the best texts I've used in seminars on research methodology. The text offers a clear balance of quantitative vs. qualitative and physical vs. human which I've found particularly valuable. The chapters on research ethics, scientific communication, information technologies and data visualization are excellent."
- Kenneth E. Foote, Department of Geography, University of Colorado at Boulder
This is a broad and integrative introduction to the conduct and interpretation of scientific research, covering both geography and environmental studies. Written for undergraduate and postgraduate students, it:
- Explains both the conceptual and the technical aspects of research, as well as all phases of the research process
- Combines approaches in physical geography and environmental science, human geography and human-environment relations, and geographic and environmental information techniques (such as GIS, cartography, and remote sensing)
- Combines natural and social scientific approaches common to subjects in geography and environmental studies
- Includes case studies of actual research projects to demonstrate the breadth of approaches taken
Montello and Sutton is one of the best texts I've used in seminars on research methodology. The text offers a clear balance of quantitative vs. qualitative and physical vs. human which I've found particularly valuable. The chapters on research ethics, scientific communication, information technologies and data visualization are excellent. Unlike many recent surveys and anthologies of geographic methodologies, Montello and Sutton provide a comprehensive and integrated overview which will continue to be of value across the entire discipline
Kenneth E. Foote
Department of Geography, University of Colorado at Boulder
This second edition of An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography and Environmental Studies now ranks itself in the category of “books with experience”, that is, it can be situated among these few noted books that have probably been used in many classes through the years. While advanced undergraduates in geography and natural sciences would obviously benefit from this reading at the condition of being combined with other related titles, other students in the broader field of environmental studies might also learn from the authors’ interdisciplinary approach.
Handbook for students doing geographical research
This book is a good handbook for geography students planning and carrying their own research projects. I would recommend this book as supplementary reading for methodology courses at university level geography teaching.
Unfortunately, differences and improvements from the first edition are not significant. Authors have only organized chapters to new order and they have corrected some minor errors. Authors have also added a new feature (Project examples). That might be useful for geography students so that they can get a clear picture of applicability of single research method.
This book and its topics are important for geography course dealing with research methodology and own research projects, but improvements for the first edition are not big enough. Therefore, we are continuing to use the first edition instead of the new second edition.
An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography is an essential resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students, because the authors provide a comprehensive overview of different types of research methods used in geography. The book provides an excellent overview on research methods, such as data collection, experimental and non-experimental research design, statistical data analysis and data display. A really useful textbook.
I found Montello and Sutton to be a good choice for introducing master's students to the issues in research design that all researchers face, regardless of whether they are biological, physical, and social scientists. The goal of my course is to make students aware of the questions they need to ask and the range of options available to them in designing their research, not to make them expert in any particular method or approach. This text works better than any others I found for achieving that goal with a multi-/interdisciplinary course.
Very comprehensive approach to environmental research methods.
A comprehensive book for students with useful elements for environmental archaeology.
This is a student-friendly book, which provides a comprehensive overview of the methods and approaches in Geographical research.
Useful for public service related research topics - Public service geographic and environmental projects
Scientific Research Methods in Geography and Environmental Studies covers a broad range of subjects that undergraduates in the discipline should be familiar and comfortable with upon graduation. From chapters on the scientific method and fundamental research concepts, to experimental design, sampling and statistical analysis, the text offers an excellent introduction to the key concepts of geographical research. The content is applicable for students at the beginning of their studies right through to planning and conducting dissertations. The book has also been of particular support in designing my level 1 and 2 tutorials which cover similar ground to several of the chapters.
