Socio-spatial research: reflections on scientific investigation methods and techniques

Abstract

This review aims to provide both a general and specific overview of the book Socio-Spatial Research: Reflections on Scientific Investigation Methods and Techniques by Sandra Lencioni and Saint-Clair Cordeiro Trindade Júnior, which is the result of an academic collaboration between the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The work offers a deep and critical analysis of the theoretical, methodological, and technical foundations of socio-spatial research, articulating theory and practice. Divided into two parts, the book initially addresses the epistemological foundations of science and geographical research, covering topics such as scientific knowledge, socio-spatial issues, and different interpretive paradigms. The second part presents investigative techniques applied to spatial analysis, including documentary research, interviews, direct observation, the use of images, life histories, and discourse analysis. The authors advocate for an interdisciplinary and critical approach that values both formal methods and the researcher’s sensitivity and attentive listening. The foreword, written by Rogério Haesbaert, highlights the relevance of the work by emphasizing its methodological breadth and epistemological openness. With accessible language and academic rigor, the book stands as a fundamental manual for students and researchers interested in understanding the dynamics between space, society, and power, offering both theoretical and practical tools for analyzing socio-spatial reality at multiple scales.