ABSTRACT
Sayer and Morgan begin by recognizing the coexistence of a wide range of groups and interests with a relation to the regional problem, and by establishing as a question to be investigated the nature of that problem. The two things are related: ‘The regional problem does not exist in a vacuum, it is a problem for particular groups and interests. It may not be a problem at all for some, and others will be affected by it in less evident ways’. It is necessary for the researcher, too, to be clear, therefore, which regional problem it is which he is investigating.
