Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
criticisms of what might be non-useful geographical knowledge and useful for whom? As
Frazier (1982:17) observed, 'applied geography uses the principles and methods of pure
geography but is different in that it analyses and evaluates real-world action and planning
and seeks to implement and manipulate environmental and spatial realities'. Indeed Sant
(1982) viewed theory as crucial to applied geography in providing a framework for
analysis and a context by which moral goals could be judged. These arguments were
developed by Palm and Brazel (1992:342) as 'applied research in any discipline is best
understood in contrast with basic or pure research'. In geography, basic research aims to
develop new theory and methods that help explain the processes through which the
spatial organisation of physical or human environments evolves. In contrast, applied
research uses existing geographic theory or techniques to understand and solve specific
empirical problems'. In practice, a dichotomy between pure and applied knowledge has
been laboured, particularly to question the academic value of applied research, even
though it has often had policy or decision-making outcomes that esoteric and seemingly
inward-looking pure research can rarely contribute. To the contrary, as Harvey (1984:7)
commented, 'geography is far too important to be left to generals, politicians and
corporate chiefs. Notions of applied and relevant geography pose questions of objectives
and interests served…there is more to geography than the production of knowledge'. By
engaging with people external to the university applied geography has a contribution to
make to society, even if there are questions about the values and objectives of applied
research and its potential uses. Critics of publicly commissioned research may point to
the role of studies in validating perspectives on the agenda of the commissioning agency,
not seeking critical debate in extreme cases. But any applied geographical researcher with
the skills and experience to engage with agencies and to recognise the constraints and
limits imposed by the private and public may be outweighed by the wider benefits to
society. Moreover, applied research need not be research undertaken for development
agencies or industry and can also include community-based research or research
undertaken for non-government organisations. For example, Croy and Hall (2003)
described how student research undertaken as part of their degree programme could be
used to transfer intellectual capital to rural communities that otherwise did not have the
resources to either afford or undertake such research. Such an activity directly connects
with the issue of the relevance of research, and as Hall (2004) commented in writing on
the issue of reflexivity in qualitative tourism research:
I have great frustration with much of the research and scholarship
undertaken in tourism. Often competently done, but without reflexion and
thought as to whose interests are being served—which is normally those
from business and government with access to power. For all the talk of
sustainable and alternative tourism, few alternatives have really shown up
which explore the potential for other spaces and places which reflexivity
may provide. In my more sanguine moments I believe that this is because
researchers often take the easier path in tourism research because within
current academic structures that is what provides the rewards.
(Hall 2004a:151)
