The Analysis of Translocality Knowledge Network: Introducing a New Approach to Human Geography Research

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In recent years, the levels of spatial analysis in human geography have undergone new changes and the concept of translocal relations and studies has emerged and become increasingly popular as relationships that a settlement or a local community establishes with higher spatial levels (regional, regional, national and international). However, the analysis of the knowledge network (co-authorship and co-occurrence words) of translocality has been neglected, despite its necessity and its role in the development of rural geography research, which is examined for the first time in this study. Systematic analysis of the translocality knowledge network and its mapping can identify its sources, trends and shortcomings. In this regard, the data were collected and refined from the Scopus information database and was analyzed with algorithms based on social network analysis in VOSviewer software. The findings showed that of more than 1135 scientific documents and 1364 authors, the United States, United Kingdom and Germany had the most publications, and authors like Sakdapolrak, Steinbrink, Greiner and Sterly had the highest citations. Sakdapolrak cluster of ideas had the highest network density. Asian countries were at the bottom of the list. Co-occurrence analysis of words revealed five research clusters in translocality studies related to the connections and flows of people, capital, goods, information, technologies and innovations. Applying the knowledge network analysis approach and mapping it is recommended to achieve a holistic perspective in the field of human geography research and in the future.
 
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
The pattern of distribution of activities and spatial flows has always been considered on a certain scale. That is while the spatial arrangement of activities is the main determinant of population movement, capital, goods and services, which the development of the area, urban and rural nodes and their communication network ultimately affects, and determines the quality of regional development. Considering that the levels of spatial arrangement of activities in most cases are local, regional, national and international, the missing link in the study of geographical spaces can be proportionally searched at the translocal level. Translocality includes the relationships that a settlement or a local community establishes with higher spatial levels (regional, regional, national, and international) in different areas. A network of key actors or actors in geographical spaces seeks to reconstruct relationships between different scales and to define or create new performance scales that can be manifested under translocal relationships.
In recent years, the levels of spatial analysis in human geography have undergone new changes and the concept of translocal relations and studies has emerged and become popular as the relationship that a settlement or a local community establishes with higher spatial levels (regional, regional, national and international). However, the analysis of the knowledge network (co-authorship and co-occurrence words) of translocality, has been neglected, despite its necessity and its role in the development of rural geography research, which is examined for the first time in this study. Systematic analysis of the translocality knowledge network and its mapping can identify its sources, trends and shortcomings.
 
2-Materials and Methods
This research is applied in terms of type that has used scientometric approach to review scientific documents. The present study is a type of scientometrics. In this research, the method of social network analysis with an exploratory approach has been used to explain and analyze the homogeneity and co-authorship of related research in the whole network. In this regard, the data were collected and refined from the Scopus information database and was analyzed with algorithms based on social network analysis in VOSviewer software.
Thus, by Census method, the metadata of all scientific documents (including articles and books) related to the field of translocality in English inserted in the title, abstract and keywords of Scopus database from 1983 to the end of March 2022 were checked in several rounds, and the irrelevant words were removed or refined. The VOSviewer software is a network analysis-based application that can be used to draw scientific networks and scientometric-based studies. The software has many applications in research based on research literature and research background.
 
3- Results and Discussion
The findings showed that of more than 1135 scientific documents and 1364 authors, the United States, United Kingdom and Germany had the most publications, and authors like Sakdapolrak, Steinbrink, Greiner and Sterly had the highest citations. Sakdapolrak cluster of ideas had the highest network density. Asian countries were at the bottom of the list. Co-occurrence analysis of words revealed five research clusters in translocality studies related to the connections and flows of people, capital, goods, information, technologies and innovations.
In general, the growth trend of scientific documents related to translocality in the last forty years has experienced three stages of initial research, rapid development and a relatively stable stage.Also, the findings of this study showed that in human geography research, translocality has been viewed from different dimensions and in diverse and related ecosystems in such a way that it covers different levels from micro to international scale and urban to rural spaces.
 
4- Conclusion
The study and analysis of new research networks such as translocality as an epistemological development in human geography and spatial planning reveals the paradigm trends and shifts of knowledge in this field and shows the research advances in translocality.
Applying the knowledge network analysis approach and mapping it is recommended to achieve a holistic perspective in the field of human geography research and in the future.
Finally, the translocality knowledge map extracted in this research can be used by researchers to achieve a holistic and integrated view in Land use planning studies, Islamic-Iranian model of progress, writing city development documents, etc. in order for development policies to be linked with realities of translocal relations, and to achieve sustainable development for Iran by reducing inequalities due to unconventional translocal flows and links.

Keywords

References

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