A main obstacle for integrating the methodological debates on spatial analysis in diverse social sciences and humanities (such as Sociology, Geography, History and Cultural Studies) is the lack of a common definition of research goals and theories of space. Starting from the discussion on absolute and relational space concepts as well as the observation that space is a multi-level-phenomenon consisting of different spatial layers which interact with time layers, the authors argue that all spatial problems can be categorized into one of five dimensions: (1) Thinking and Imagining Space; (2) Creating and Changing Space; (3) Experiencing, Appropriating and Orientating within Space; (4) (Inter)Action and Distribution within Space; and (5) Relations and Movements between Spaces. The authors discuss the contribution of various qualitative approaches (e.g. ethnography, case studies and discourse analysis), quantitative approaches (e.g. surveys, public administrational data and GIS) and cartographic approaches for analysing these dimensions and conclude with open questions for future research.

This paper discusses how focused ethnography and surveys can be mixed within a social experiment in order to explore orientation in space as a social process (and not only as a cognitive one) and to examine the role maps have during this process. Our research design is based on a three-step interdisciplinary methodology, mixing cartographic methods with surveys and ethnography: (1) Cartographers developed maps for several paths through a Berlin university building from the ground floor (starting point) to the roof-top (finish). (2) Between 2009 and 2013, a social experiment was set up during five social events that drew lots of visitors. Volunteers first answered a questionnaire and then participated in a race from the starting point to the finish, using a randomly assigned map and a randomly assigned route (factorial design without control group). At the finish area, respondents answered another set of survey questions and evaluated the assigned maps. (3) Along the selected routes, members of the research team conducted focused ethnography in order to observe interaction among respondents, between other people, the map and the built environment. Comparing these various data sources, we will discuss what methods are suitable to find answers to our research questions, which are among others: How does orientation work? What strategies do people use? What should maps for (indoor) navigation look like in order to satisfy user's needs? Afterwards we will present selected results.

»Prozessorientierte Mikro-Makro-Analyse. Ein methodologischer Vergleich von Elias und Bourdieu«. Both Norbert Elias and Pierre Bourdieu argue that both the research question and social theory should guide methodology and methods. Both theorists argue that any social theory should keep in mind the importance of macro-level structures; in micro-level interactions and social change. In order to fully grasp patterns of social change, social scientists would require a complex causal processed-oriented micro-macro-analysis. Because in research practice, it is almost never possible to implement the full methodology, both Elias and Bourdieu used a short-cut by using a six-step methodology, consisting of (1) self-reflexivity and detachment; (2) an explaining of the theoretical perspective; (3) a reconstructing of the figuration’s/field’s socio-genesis; (4) a reconstructing of the micro-level; (5) a reconstructing of the macro-level; and (6) a theoretical synopsis. By using an example on local variation of economic practices, the paper illustrates this six-step methodology and concludes with further questions for future research.

Indoor map design is still an uncharted territory. More often than not, existing architectural floor plans are used as visualization means that do not fulfill cartographic requirements. In collaboration between geoinformation science and sociology, we develop and investigate cartographic methods for effective route guidance in indoor environments. The baseline for our evaluation is the annual user studies with up to 1100 participants per year. Since 2009, they were conducted during the "Long Night of Sciences," a big event where large scientific institutions present themselves to the general public. For the 2011 study, we developed eight maps, which varied in design with respect to two map properties: map perspective and landmark representation. We evaluated the map design features as well as route complexity and sociodemographic characteristics. In order to rate their effect on an user satisfaction as an indicator of navigational success, we carried out a series of analyses of variance. Our results underline the importance of a map design: Map perspective and landmarks alone explain about 30% of the variance in the user satisfaction with maps, which is by far the biggest share in a navigational success.

Nowadays, mobile devices are widely used as navigation aids, e.g., for car navigation. Their greatest advantage is the ability of automatic position tracking. In indoor environments, this feature is often not available, since indoor localization techniques are not ready for mass-market yet. What remains is a small display with limited space for route visualizations. In contrast, the variable size of paper allows for the representation of additional context information as means for spatial understanding and orientation in space, rendering it a valuable alternative as presentation medium for indoor navigation aids. Whatever medium is used, provided visualizations must follow specific cartographic requirements like clarity, comprehensibility, and expedience. Within a co-operation between geoinformation science and sociology, we develop and investigate cartographic methods for effective route guidance in indoor environments. Our evaluation base are user studies conducted with 2,400 visitors of both genders aged 4 to 78 years during the “Long Nights of Science” in Berlin in 2009, 2010, and 2011. We actually use paper as presentation medium for our experiments not only for practical reasons but also because we want to confront our participants with a solution which might not align to the current trend. Within this article we put special focus on media characteristics and users’ media preferences. Therefore, we asked our participants about their opinion on the provided paper maps in contrast to mobile solutions. Based on their answers, we could derive media characteristics relevant from a user’s perspective as well as affinities of different user groups. One astonishing outcome being that 11-15 year-old teenagers indicate a much higher tendency towards paper maps than towards smartphone apps.