The Case for More Exploratory and Grounded Tourism Research: Martin Oppermann Memorial Lecture 2001
This article is based on points delivered during the 2001 Martin Oppermann Memorial Lecture given at Griffith University, Australia. It presents the view that the emphasis of too much tourism research is on theory testing, as opposed to theory development and building. It questions on what theoretical basis so many of these hypotheses are formed. Given that tourism is a field of study that is still in the formative stages, the article argues that there remains a need for more exploratory research. The process of inductive qualitative research is examined, and is followed by a discussion on the background to grounded theory, its adaptation, and use.
Keywords: Exploratory research; Grounded theory; Qualitative research
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia
Publication date: 01 January 2003
- Pacific Tourism Review is designed to meet the needs of the fastest growing tourism region. The tremendous changes in outbound and inbound travel patterns occurring in the wider Pacific area and their associated effects on the economy and environment demand a publication that specifically focuses on this area. Pacific Tourism Review aspires to advance excellence in tourism research, promote high-level tourism education, and nourish cultural awareness in all sectors of the tourism industry by integrating industry and academic perspectives. Its international and interdisciplinary nature ensures that the needs of those interested in Pacific tourism are served by documenting industry practices, discussing tourism policy and planning issues, providing a forum for primary research and critical examinations of previous research, and by chronicling changes in tourism patterns throughout the Pacific region.
- Access Key
- Free content
- Partial Free content
- New content
- Open access content
- Partial Open access content
- Subscribed content
- Partial Subscribed content
- Free trial content