This book, first published in 1985, explores the connections in academic research between theoretical positions, political perspectives and policy prescriptions. Five different groups of authors, who have written broadly in the fields of industrial and social geography, discuss this relationship and illustrate it with recent work. Around their contributions, the editors have constructed a book that is both a guide to the research debate for students at all levels and a handbook, with notes and questions, for those about to undertake their own research projects.

Though designed primarily for use on undergraduate geography, urban studies and applied economics courses, its broad debate on research method is important for all professional and postgraduate researchers in the social sciences.