Download full text
(651.8Kb)
Citation Suggestion
Please use the following Persistent Identifier (PID) to cite this document:
https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-384010
Exports for your reference manager
Considering the role of presence and absence in space constructions: ethnography as methodology in human geography
Die Rolle von Absenz und Präsenz in Raumkonstruktionen: zu den Möglichkeiten der Ethnographie als Methodologie in der Humangeographie
[journal article]
Abstract In this article, we discuss methodological issues and problems in researching relational space. We argue that despite all innovations after recent spatial turns, research on space is often still marked by what we call ‘presentism’ and ‘concretism’. Instead, we seek to show how spatial encounters tod... view more
In this article, we discuss methodological issues and problems in researching relational space. We argue that despite all innovations after recent spatial turns, research on space is often still marked by what we call ‘presentism’ and ‘concretism’. Instead, we seek to show how spatial encounters today are more and more marked and shaped by different absences. Using some insights from the poststructuralist take on assemblages we argue that any spatial method to understand spatial complexity is incomplete if the role of absences in shaping spatial presences and spatial encounters is left unconsidered. Addressing ques-tions of methodology and methods we vote for the ethnographic approach which, to us, has the strongest potential to undertake spatial research sensitive to the problem of present absences, i.e. that the complexity of places is often shaped by absent spatial events.... view less
Keywords
zone; constructivism; methodology; geography; ethnography
Classification
Research Design
Ethnology, Cultural Anthropology, Ethnosociology
Method
development of methods; basic research
Free Keywords
absence/presence; assemblage; relational space
Document language
English
Publication Year
2014
Page/Pages
p. 51-67
Journal
Historical Social Research, 39 (2014) 2
Issue topic
Spatial analysis
DOI
https://doi.org/10.12759/hsr.39.2014.2.51-67
ISSN
0172-6404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed