Articulating perceptions of rural and urban - The use of semantic scales

Places in the urban fringe, at the interface between the 'urban' and the 'rural', permit the study of the processes of change that arise from interaction between the two spheres. Any study of such places involves a consideration of what constitutes the 'rural', itself the subject of ongoing debate. When undertaken from the perspective of those residing in such places, the most suitable approach to eliciting and analysing their observations and perceptions must also be assessed. This article presents the methodology and findings of a section of research conducted in three urban fringe areas in the West of Ireland. The principal objective of the research was to contribute to the study and understanding of places situated in the urban fringe, particularly in the context of rapid economic and social change taking place therein. The specific focus upon the direct accounts of residents as the basis for establishing these understandings and perceptions, including those relating to rural and urban, is discussed. The use of a semantic differential scaling technique as part of this approach is explored.