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FOLIA GEOGRAPHICA 2012 (20), LIV., pp. 80-96

Vybrané Teoreticko-Metodologické Aspekty Výskumu Kvality Života s Prihliadnutím na Prihraničné Regióny

Selected Theoretical and Methodological Aspects of the Research of the Life Quality in the Border Regions

Robert Ištok A*, Martin Angelovič B

Received: June 1, 2012 | Revised: August 30, 2012 | Accepted: October 10, 2012

A* University of Prešov, 17. novembra 1, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia robert.istok@unipo.sk (corresponding author)
B University of Prešov, 17. novembra 1, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia martin.angelovic@gmail.com

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Abstract

The paper deals with the selected theoretical and methodological aspects of the research of the border impact on the residents’ life quality in the border regions. The main aim of the presented paper is to design methodology for research of the border impact on the resident’ life quality in the border regions. In the first part, we present the need for the use of qualitative methods in the research of the life quality, based on the work of experts in the field. Moreover, we follow a definition and analysis of the basic notions related to the aim of the paper. The main part of this paper is the formulation of theoretical and methodological model of the research of the life quality in the border region. We offer a design of our research of this phenomenon, which we present in the table.

Key words: The quality of life, state border, border region, methodology

Summary

Selected Theoretical and Methodological Aspects of the Research of the Life Quality in the Border Regions

The life quality is examined by several disciplines and geography has an important position between them. The advantage of the geographic approach application lies in the interpretation of the obtained results in the synthetic-space form. Geographers are able to analyze and mainly synthesize spatial differentiation of the life quality at the different spatial levels, what allows the identification of problems in various regions and suggests possible solutions.
In the use of quantitative methods of research of the life quality, the need of the qualitative approach application is increasingly emphasised. In this paper, we argue in favour of the application of qualitative methods analysis of this complex issue in the context of the use of the geographic approach. We point out the need to use both basic methods of the research of the life quality- analysis of socio-economic indicators (so called Scandinavian approach) and socio-psychological method, which consists of the evaluation of individuals meeting their needs (so called American approach). Regarding the application possibilities of the geographic research, we follow M. Pacioni’s opinion, which pays attention to the fact that quality is not just an attribute of the environment, but also the interaction between the environment and individual. Therefore, the definition of the life quality has to be based on psychological and psychosocial mechanisms, producing a sense of the life quality and also the external phenomena that affect this feeling. In our view, the life quality is a multidisciplinary concept, in which the definition has to be based on a number of areas of the life as well as the environment, in which that life takes place.
Following the title of the paper, we note that the state boundary significantly affects the development of the border regions. Furthermore, it affects the life quality of their inhabitants and so their objective diameter. Particularly, this is reflected in the economic dimensions of the population life of the border regions, which are influenced by specific factors associated with the presence of the state border.
The life quality in the border regions is affected by several factors, which are caused by the political decision-making at the state level. In particular, the issues related to permeability and the regime of the state border. In this context, we should mention particular issues related to the level of commodity exchange, legal and illegal migration, but also various criminal activities. Therefore, in the research of the residents’ life quality of border regions, it is necessary to take into account specific factors related to the position of the examined area.
Finally, we seek to provide an overview of the application of quantitative and qualitative research methods of the life quality in the different spatial scales, which is interpreted in the table below. We stress that the growth of qualitative indicators importance for smaller spatial units increases the validity and reliability of the research.

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