Qualitative Research in Tourism
While qualitative approaches are beginning to be more commonly used
and accepted in tourism, discussions of research methods have rarely
moved beyond practical considerations. To date there has been limited
attention given to the underlying philosophical and theoretical underpin-
nings that influence the research process. This book links the theory with
research practice, to offer a more holistic account of how qualitative
research can be used in tourism.
Qualitative Research in Tourism is the first book to focus solely upon
this subject. It combines discussions of the philosophies underpinning
qualitative research, with chapters written in a reflexive style that demon-
strate the ways in which the techniques can be used. The book is based on
a range of empirical tourism studies set in the context of theoretical discus-
sion. It demonstrates the benefits of using a range of qualitative
approaches to research tourism, and the text explores the ways in which a
number of techniques, including participant observation, memory-work,
biographical diaries and focus groups, have been adopted by researchers
from a range of disciplinary backgrounds to undertake empirical research
in tourism.
The book offers a range of case studies written by leading scholars from
the United Kingdom, France, America, Australia, New Zealand and
Indonesia. The book makes clear the ways in which these pieces of
research have been informed by the authors’ ontological, epistemological
and methodological standpoint. Qualitative Research in Tourism will be
indispensable to any final-year undergraduates, masters’ and PhD students
embarking on research in the field, and also academics with an interest in
either tourism research or qualitative methodology.
Jenny Phillimore is a Lecturer and Lisa Goodson is a Research Fellow at
the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, The University of Birming-
ham.