Toward An Expanding Methodological Base in Leisure Studies: Researchers' Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Concerning Qualitative Research

Abstract

The nature and content of the leisure studies literature in the next century will be influenced by the methods that researchers employ. Therefore the purpose of this study is to explore the current attitudes, knowledge and practices concerning qualitative research of a group of active North American leisure researchers (n = 115) in order to understand the changes that may lie ahead. Findings suggest that attitudes toward qualitative data are surprisingly positive. A majority of the survey respondents had undertaken at least one qualitative study and felt that qualitative data hold many potential benefits to leisure studies. A majority of the sample were favorable about graduate students learning about and engaging in qualitative research. Results suggest that our understanding of leisure in the next millennium may be based on a broader variety of data collection methods.