Processes Of Spatial Stratification: A Scoping Review Protocol

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWO_ST_ABSOO_SCPLOWBJECTIVEC_SCPLOWC_ST_ABSThe objective of this scoping review is to understand what is known and theorised about the processes of spatial stratification. IO_SCPLOWNTRODUCTIONC_SCPLOWRegional inequalities, commonly termed the North-South divide, have been an feature in England for years(1). Whilst there is research on the different areas affected, these include, but not limited to, income(2), education(3), and health(4), there is a lack of research on the processes that lead to the differentiation of regions, in other words, on spatial stratification. The aim of this scoping review is, therefore, to identify and synthesise what is known about the processes and factors involved in spatial stratification, bringing together research from separate fields such as economics, sociology, and geography. EO_SCPLOWLIGIBILITYC_SCPLOW CO_SCPLOWRITERIAC_SCPLOWIn line with standard scoping review approaches, Population, Concept, Context (PCC)(5) will be used as a guide for eligibility. Population: anyone; Concept: spatial or socio-spatial stratification; Context: any country, any level. Articles and papers written in English, published after 1970, and meeting the inclusion criteria outlines will be included in the review. MO_SCPLOWETHODSC_SCPLOWSearches will be conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, JSTOR, Embase, and ProQuest Social Science Premium Collection. The time frame for the searches will be set from 1970 onwards. All titles and abstracts will be screened against the inclusion criteria in Rayyan. Reference lists of all eligible papers will be searched for further relevant literature. Full-text versions of eligible literature will be reviewed and data relating to theories, concepts, and where relevant, findings, will be extracted. Papers meeting the inclusion criteria will be tabulated, grouped thematically, and written up to form a narrative describing what is currently known and theorised about the processes that lead to spatial stratification.