This book walks students through the selection and application of research methods within tourism. The authors introduce the relevant language and theory of key methodologies and then develop them using strategic literature review and the inclusion of international examples which relate directly to tourism. The historical and philosophical context of each method is then carefully laid out alongside the practical application of the technique. Each concept sets the historical and philosophical context of a method alongside the practical application of the technique.

Positivism

Positivism

Definition A research programme researching only the ‘positive’, namely, given, factual, sure and without any doubt and because of this it rejects metaphysics as theoretically impossible and practically without any use.

Relevance

So what's all the fuss about when it comes to Positivism? It is hard to imagine what tourism research would look like today were it not for the key concept of Positivism and while it has almost become a term of derision in some circles this is no way to treat such an important influence in tourism research. Even if you are a firmly convinced ‘interpretiv-ist’ there is still value in understanding what positivist science was trying to do and what caused it to ultimately fail. Many of you will, we are sure, still cling ...

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