Methodology

As a system to collect and analyze data, methodology refers to the tools, instruments, or procedures designed by a researcher at the outset of a study to conduct his/her inquiry. Methods and methodology are used synonymously by many in tourism. Methodology is the philosophical framework within which the research is conducted and is associated with particular paradigms. First and foremost, a researcher should use a methodology most appropriate for achieving the research objective. Methodology links the choice and use of methods to the desired outcome. For all researchers, methodology guides the use of methods. As an emerging field, much of tourism investigation has been dominated by positivism and quantitative approaches.

More recently, considerable debate and discussion have occurred regarding methodological issues in tourism. This has resulted in its expansion from being based on methods employed in research designs to methodology referring to and embodying the ways which knowledge...