Individual assignment #3: scan of the literature 1
10%
RQM W2024
Third Spaces
Nicole Khella
Department of Social Science Methods, John Abbott College
300-222-AB : Research and Qualitative Methods
Dr. Luba Serge
February 22, 2024
Individual assignment #3: scan of the literature 2
10%
RQM W2024
Due: February 22th11:30 am 20pts
You are going to start structuring the group project that you will be undertaking. The first phase is individual
work on finding pertinent literature and drawing out concepts that might be useful for the theoretical framework
that you will be developing as a group.
The class will be undertaking an observation study to answer the following research question: are there spaces
on the John Abbott campus that could be considered third spaces?
1. Find two academic sources (peer-reviewed journals, books published by universities) that discuss third
spaces. 10pts
Academic sources
Source 1 :
APA citation
Nautiyal, J. (2016). Aesthetic and Affective Experiences in Coffee Shops: A Deweyan Engagement with
Ordinary Affects in Ordinary Spaces. Education and Culture, 32(2), 99-118.
https://doi.org/10.5703/educationculture.32.2.0099
Main points :
• Ubiquity of coffee shops
• Coffee shops can be considered everyday third spaces
o Presents communicative experiences
o Relaxing space
Individual assignment #3: scan of the literature 3
10%
RQM W2024
o Spaces are part of the capitalist megamachine
o Presents a sense of place and community
Objective
The objective of this literary review is to prove that coffee shops are in fact third spaces that promote a sense of
community, of gathering and of social interactions. However, they are aware that with the rise of technology,
more and more of these spaces are disappearing leaving place to communication through online methods rather
than in person at a coffee shop.
How do the author(s) go about answering their research question/objective?
To prove the idea that coffee shops can be more than just a functional space to procure a drink and that they can
serve as hubs and be considered third spaces, the author gives an example of an individual's everyday
experience in a coffee shop, showing the interactions and the feeling of community. The author makes use of a
qualitative research approach. They base much of their research on existing works, particularly Dewey's and
Stewart's work. These works are used to form the theory made that coffee shops serve as third spaces. The
author extensively observes one’s coffee shop experience and analyses the interactions and habits and how they
contribute to this theory. The author also draws on personal experience and observations to support their theory.
Main findings
The study confirms that coffee shops possess rich potential for aesthetic and educative experiences. In fact, it
reiterates the concept that that these spaces offer more than just a place to drink coffee, they serve as third
spaces distinct from our home and workplace environment. They even serve as hubs for meaningful interactions
and experiences. It also finds that some hurdles can cause these places to lose their interactive nature such as
technological distractions, commodification, and social alienation. The author also finds that these everyday
Individual assignment #3: scan of the literature 4
10%
RQM W2024
experiences in coffee shops have rich potential, contributing to the formation of individual and social habits that
enhance the quality of life. The study also shows that the concept of centripetal intimacy is crucial in
understanding the relationship between individuals and coffee shop spaces. Centripetal habits foster a sense of
belonging and mutual growth between person and place. It also finds that environmental factors, such as
lighting and ambiance, influence the quality of coffee shop experiences.
Source 2 :
APA citation
Garvey, J. C., Viray, S., Stango, K., Estep, C., & Jaeger, J. (2019). Emergence of third spaces: Exploring trans
students’ campus climate perceptions within Collegiate Environments. Sociology of Education, 92(3),
229–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038040719839100
Main points :
• Trans students’ perceptions of campus environment
o Third spaces available to them
• There is progressivism for LGBTQ+ collegians.
o More welcoming and supportive campus environments
• LGBQ student experiences
• Institutional supports and policies that serve LGBQ students may not equally serve trans students
Objective
The aim of this study is to understand trans students’ perceptions of campus climate, with a particular focus on
students’ demographics, academic experiences, and cocurricular experiences taking into account third spaces
available to these groups.
Individual assignment #3: scan of the literature 5
10%
RQM W2024
How do the author(s) go about answering their research question/objective?
The authors use Bhabha’s concept of third space as well as Rankin and Reason’s transformational tapestry
model to form a theory. Then, using a national sample of 207 trans collegians from the National LGBTQ
Alumnx Survey, they used regression analysis as well as an analysis of open-ended responses to highlight the
experiences of trans respondents.
Main findings
The results of this study demonstrated that there was a clear relationship between trans students’ campus
climate perceptions and year of graduation, outness, academic training, and LGBTQ academic/cocurricular
experiences. Trans respondents who were more out tended to perceive a warmer campus climate. Academic
training and participation in LGBTQ academic experiences were positively associated with more positive
perceptions of campus climate among trans students. As well as there is a connection between their campus
climate experiences and the third space that trans students must navigate within colleges and universities.
Finally, participation in LGBTQ extracurricular experiences sometimes showed a negative relationship with
perceptions of campus climate. This suggests that while involvement in LGBTQ student organizations and
events is generally positive, it does not always translate to a positive campus climate for trans students.
1. What are at least two concepts that could be useful for your group project on third places? 5pts
From the first article, we find that coffee shops can be third spaces that promote communication and
socialization. This can translate to the Oval coffee house on our campus.
A sense of community is one of the crucial points that make up a third space. This can translate to the sense of
community clubs and in turn clubrooms bring.
Individual assignment #3: scan of the literature 6
10%
RQM W2024
2. List at least two indicators (NB it’s an observation) that you might be able to use in your study? 5pts
- People actively conversing amongst themselves where all participants actively contribute to the
conversation
- Proximity within 2 meters creating a sense of familiarity and comfortability
- 2 or more groups of at least 3 people having a lively discussion
