新区域研究、转换与中层概念

Abstract:Traditionally，area studies focus on the specific geographic regions，seeking to reveal thedifferences and particularities that exist at the regional scale. The process of globalization has brought about the restructuring of geographic space and scale and a significant increase in mobility，making it necessary to examine these changes from a perspective that spans countries and regions，thus opening up space for new Area Studies. While recognizing the uniqueness of each region，new Area Studies emphasizes that specific phenomena in the region under study should be understood from a comparative perspective and establishing linkages between them and similar phenomena in other regions. At the core of the new Area Studies endeavour is a combination of theme and area，adopting an inside-outward perspective and a mixed generalist-specific epistemology. On the specific empirical theme，when examining similar phenomena in each region，the researcher needs to develop situational analysis from the environment of the region in which he/she is located，transfer indigenous concepts obtained based on a specific region，and develop mid-range theoretical concepts based on translation and conversion.

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