Research Writing Place And Space Report Assignment Guideline

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Research Writing Place and Space Report Assignment Guidelines. The purpose of this Report is to map out the physical space of your fieldsite and to discuss what activities take place within that space. This Report should convey to your classmates the experience of being in the physical space of your fieldsite and should give them a clear picture of what happens in that physical space.

This is a two-part assignment:

Part 1: Write a description of the space itself, including what activities take place there and how the space affects those activities. Use sensory details, and consider telling a story or describing the space as if guiding someone through it. Focus on physical objects, furniture, spatial divisions, and the purpose of different areas, including details about wall decorations and how people interact with objects.

Part 2: Discuss your personal position as a researcher and how your individual perspective influences how you perceive and interpret the space. Reflect on how your experiences, opinions, and background shape your view.

Points to consider:

- Be creative and detailed in your description to give a vivid impression of the space.

- Consider the physical setup, objects, and how the space functions for various activities.

- Reflect on your own vantage point and how it influences your observations and understanding of the space.

Formatting:

- The report should be at least 3 pages long.

- Typed, double-spaced.

- Use Times New Roman, 12-point font.

Evaluation:

- Part 1 (description and activities): Thorough and vivid description; comprehensive discussion of activities.

- Part 2 (personal perspective): Insightful discussion of how your background influences your view.

- Organization: Clear structure with each sub-topic in its own paragraph.

- Professionalism: Adherence to length and formatting guidelines; free from spelling, grammatical, and language errors.

Paper For Above instruction

The research for this assignment involves creating a detailed and vivid map of a specific fieldsite, along with an introspective reflection on the researcher’s perspective. I chose to examine a community library as my fieldsite due to its significance as a knowledge hub and social space. The library’s physical environment, the activities that occur within it, and my personal perception of the space will all be explored in this report.

Part 1: Description of the Space

The community library I observed is a spacious, well-lit room that exudes a quiet and inviting atmosphere. Upon entering, one is greeted by rows of bookshelves stretching from the floor to the ceiling, organized by genre and subject. The air smells faintly of paper and coffee, a subtle reminder of the library’s hybrid role as both an informational resource and a social space. The furniture consists of wooden tables and chairs, many of which are occupied by patrons engaged in reading, studying, or working on laptops. The space is divided into distinct zones: a quiet reading area with plush armchairs and individual study booths, a computer zone with several desktop terminals, and a children’s corner decorated with colorful posters and small tables for activities. Each area serves a specific purpose; for instance, the computer zone facilitates digital research, while the children’s corner encourages learning through play. Walls are adorned with posters promoting literacy and community events, fostering a sense of connection and purpose within the space. The arrangement of the furniture and the organization of different zones influence how visitors move and interact within the library, creating a dynamic yet orderly environment conducive to learning and socialization.

Part 2: Reflection on Personal Perspective

As a researcher observing this space, my background and personal experiences influence how I perceive its functions and significance. Coming from a literate family, I have always associated libraries with knowledge and personal growth. My past academic experiences shape my view of the library as a place of quiet reflection and focused study, which aligns with its intended function. However, my perspective is also colored by my cultural background; I see the library not just as an individual learning space but also as a community hub that fosters social cohesion. I notice how different groups utilize the space—for example, students working on group projects in the study zones versus children engaging in storytelling or play—and interpret these variations through my understanding of social interaction. Moreover, my personal opinions about accessibility and inclusivity influence how I view the arrangement and features of the space, such as the availability of resources for diverse populations and the welcoming nature of the environment. This individual gaze, shaped by my experiences and values, impacts my interpretation of the library as both a physical space and a social institution.

In conclusion, mapping out and analyzing the community library reveals how physical arrangements and social interactions synthesize to create a meaningful environment. My personal perspective underscores the importance of understanding one's own positionality in ethnographic observation, which enriches the analysis and deepens the understanding of the space’s multifaceted roles.

References

Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Harvard University Press.

Cresswell, T. (2015). Place: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell.

McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. McGraw-Hill.

Lefebvre, H. (1991). The Production of Space. Blackwell Publishing.

Gordon, C. (2011). Re-Imagining the Urban: Place, Identity, and Politics. Routledge.

Knox, P. L., & Agnew, J. (2012). The Geography of the World Economy. Routledge.

Soja, E. W. (1996). Thirdspace: Journeys to Los Angeles and Other Real-and-Imagined Places. Blackwell Publishing.

Harvey, D. (2012). Rebel Cities: From the Right to the City to the Urban Revolution. Verso Books.

Lynch, K. (1960). The Image of the City. MIT Press.

Said, E. W. (1978). Orientalism. Pantheon Books.