Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Role of Qualitative Methods in Tourism QOL Research: A Critique and Future Agenda

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Tourism and Quality-of-Life Research

Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life ((IHQL))

Abstract

Qualitative research methods can sometimes generate rich and useful data. This chapter reviews existing tourism literature and finds nine tourism quality-of-life (QOL) studies that use qualitative approaches. Of the nine, five focus on tourism’s impact on host community QOL, and the remainder address tourism’s influence on various facets of the traveler’s QOL perceptions. The authors of this chapter then go on to posit that future qualitative extensions can provide further insight into the roles of the five forms of capital surrounding tourism’s influence on community QOL. Qualitative approaches can also be utilized to delve deeper into the goal valence, goal expectancy, goal implementation, and goal attainment dimensions of Sirgy’s (J Travel Res 46(2):246–260, 2010) QOL goal theory of leisure travel satisfaction. In the assessment of the authors, three qualitative methods that hold particular promise in exploring these topic areas are photo elicitation interviews, childhood memory elicitation, and sentence completion tasks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Andrews, F., & Withey, S. (1976). Social indicators of wellbeing: America’s Perceptions of quality of life. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banks, M. (2001). Visual methods in social research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, H. (2002). Visual evidence: A seventh man, the specified generalization, and the work of the reader. Visual Studies, 17(1), 3–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berger, J. (1992). Keeping a rendezvous. New York: Vintage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boddy, C. (2007). Projective techniques in Taiwan and Asia-Pacific market research. Qualitative Market Analysis: An International Journal, 10(1), 48–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boterill, T. (1989). Humanistic tourism? Personal constructions of a tourist: Sam visits Japan. Leisure Studies, 8, 281–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Botterill, T., & Crompton, J. (1987). Personal construction of holiday snapshots. Annals of Tourism Research, 14, 152–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Botterill, T., & Crompton, J. (1996). Two case studies exploring the nature of the tourist’s experience. Journal of Leisure Research, 28(1), 57–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun, K. (1999). Post experience effects on consumer memory. Journal of Consumer Research, 25(March), 319–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun-LaTour, K., & LaTour, M. (2007). Introducing the childhood memory elicitation method to gain insights into a brand at the crossroads: The In-N-Out burger situation. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 48, 246–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun-LaTour, K., LaTour, M., & Loftus, E. (2006). Is that a finger in my chili? Using affective advertising for postcrisis brand repair. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 47, 106–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun-LaTour, K., LaTour, M., & Zinkhan, G. (2007). Using childhood memories to gain insight into brand meaning. Journal of Marketing, 71(2), 45–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun-LaTour, K., Sarrazit, F., Hendler, R., & LaTour, M. (2009). Cracking the cultural code of gambling. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 50(4), 475–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun-LaTour, K., LaTour, M., & Zinkhan, G. (2010). Coke is it: An icon illuminated through childhood memory stories. Journal of Business Research, 63(3), 328–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brinthaupt, T., & Erwin, L. (1992). Reporting about the self: issues and implications. In T. M. Brinthaupt & R. P. Lipka (Eds.), The self: Definitional and methodological issues (pp. 137–171). Albany: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brock, D. (1993). Quality of life in healthcare and ethics. In M. C. Nussbuam & A. Sen (Eds.), The quality of life (pp. 95–132). Oxford: Clarendon.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Brunt, P., & Courtney, P. (1999). Host perceptions of sociocultural impacts. Annals of Tourism Research, 26(3), 493–515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, D. (2001). The role of photography in organization research: A reengineering case illustration. Journal of Management Inquiry, 10(2), 151–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A., Converse, P., & Rogers, W. (1976). The quality of American life: Perceptions, evaluations, and satisfaction. New York: Russell Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlsson, B. (2001). Depicting experiences. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 45(2), 125–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cederholm, E. (2004). The use of photo-elicitation in tourism research: Framing the backpacker experience. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 4(3), 225–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark-Ibanez, M. (2004). Framing the social world with photo-elicitation interviews. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(12), 1507–1527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, E. (1988). Authenticity and commoditisation. Annals of Tourism Research, 15, 311–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collier, J., Jr. (1957). Photography in anthropology: A report on two experiments. American Anthropologist, 59, 843–859.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collier, J., Jr. (1967). Visual anthropology: Photography as a research method. New York: Holt, Rinchart and Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collier, J., Jr., & Collier, M. (1986). Visual anthropology: Photography as a research method. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, L. (1978). Review of hosts and guests: An anthropology of tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 5, 278–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of qualitative research. Los Angeles: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Damon, W., & Hart, D. (1988). Self-understanding in childhood and adolescence. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Kadt, E. (1979). Social planning for tourism in the development countries. Annals of Tourism Research, 6, 36–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diamond, K. E. (1996). Preschool children’s conceptions of disabilities: The salience of disability in children’s ideas about others. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education (TECSE), 16(4), 458–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Suh, E. (1997). Measuring quality of life: Economic, social, and subjective indicators. Social Indicators Research, 40, 189–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Sandvik, E., & Pavot, W. (1991). Happiness is the frequency, not the intensity, of positive versus negative affect. In F. Strack, M. Argyle, & N. Schwartz (Eds.), Subjective well-being (pp. 119–139). Oxford: Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, R., Fischer, C., & Rennie, D. (1999). Evolving guidelines for publication of qualitative research studies in psychology and related fields. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 38, 215–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, R. (1993). Social desirability bias and the validity of indirect questioning. Journal of Consumer Research, 20, 303–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrod, B. (2008). Exploring place perception: A photo-based analysis. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(2), 381–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gjerald, O. (2005). Sociocultural impacts of tourism: A case study from Norway. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 3(1), 36–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, S. (1986). Ethnic boundaries and ethnic entrepreneurship: A photo-elicitation study. Visual Sociology, 6(2), 9–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagedorn, M. I. E. (1996). Photography: An aesthetic technique for nursing inquiry. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 17, 517–527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harper, D. (1994). On the authority of the image: Visual methods at the crossroads. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 403–412). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, D. (1998). An argument for visual sociology. In J. Prosser (Ed.), Image-based research: A source book for qualitative researchers (pp. 24–41). London: Palmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, D. (2002). Talking about pictures: A case for photo elicitation. Visual Studies, 17(1), 13–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, C., & Lovelace, S. (1995). Family resources and adolescent family satisfaction in remarried family households. Journal of Family Issues, 16, 765–780.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, S., & Highley, B. (1986). The camera as a study tool: Photo interview of mothers and infants with congestive heart failure. Children’s Health Care, 15, 119–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter-Jones, P. (2003). The perceived effects of holiday-taking upon the health and wellbeing of patients treated for cancer. International Journal of Tourism Research, 5, 183–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurworth, R. (2003). Photo-interviewing for research. Social Research Update, 40, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klitzing, S. (2004). Women living in homeless shelters: Stress, coping and leisure. Journal of Leisure Research, 36(4), 483–512.

    Google Scholar 

  • L’Ecuyer, R. (1992). An experiential-developmental framework and methodology to study the transformations of self-concept from infancy to old age. In T. M. Brinthaupt & R. P. Lipka (Eds.), The self: Definitional and methodological issues (pp. 96–134). Albany: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lapierre, S., Bouffard, L., & Bastin, E. (1993). Motivational goal objects in later life. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 36, 279–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LaTour, M., Henthorne, T., & Braun-LaTour, K. (2003). Is a cigar just a cigar: A glimpse at the new-age cigar consumer. Academy of Marketing Science Review, 12, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linderman, M., & Verkasalo, M. (1996). Meaning of life. Journal of Social Psychology, 136, 657–670.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lord, E., & Patterson, I. (2008). The benefits of physically active leisure for people with disabilities: An Australian perspective. Annals of Leisure Research, 10, 123–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mactavish, J., MacKay, K., Iwasaki, Y., & Betteridge, D. (2007). Family caregivers of individuals with intellectual disability: Perspectives on life quality and the roles of vacations. Journal of Leisure Research, 39(1), 127–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magilvy, J., Congdon, J., Nelson, J., & Craig, C. (1992). Visions of rural aging: Use of photographic method in gerontological research. The Gerontologist, 32(2), 253–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magnini, V. (2009). The influence of collectivism in restaurant selection: A sentence completion experiment. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 29(4), 191–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnini, V., & Gaskins, J. (2010). Gender differences in responses to written touch references in hospitality print advertisements. Tourism Analysis, 15(3), 331–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malhotra, N., Agarwal, J., & Peterson, M. (1996). Methodological issues in cross-cultural marketing research. International Marketing Review, 13(5), 7–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathieson, A., & Wall, G. (1982). Tourism: Economic, physical and social impacts. Harlow: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCrae, R., & Costa, P. (1988). Age, personality, and the spontaneous self-concept. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 43, 177–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, W., & McGuire, C. (1988). Content and process in the experience of self. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (pp. 97–144). New York: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKercher, B. (1993). Some fundamental truths about tourism: Understanding tourism’s social and environmental impacts. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1(1), 6–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moscardo, G. (2009). Tourism and quality of life: Towards a more critical approach. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 9(2), 159–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oppermann, M., & Cooper, C. (1999). Outbound travel and quality of life: The effect of airline price wars. Journal of Business Research, 44, 179–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pink, S. (2001). Doing visual ethnography: Images, media and representation in research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pizam, A., Reichel, A., & Stein, C. (1982). Tourism and crime: Is there a relationship? Journal of Travel Research, 20(3), 7–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prosser, J. (1998). The status of image based research. In J. Prosser (Ed.), Image-based research: A source book for qualitative researchers (pp. 97–112). London: Palmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhode, A. (1957). The sentence completion method. New York: The Ronald Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, G. (1999). Vacations and quality of life: Patterns and structures. Journal of Business Research, 44, 189–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rose, G. (2001). Visual methodologies: An introduction to the interpretation of visual materials. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rust, R., & Cooil, B. (1994). Reliability measures for qualitative data: Theory and implications. Journal of Marketing Research, 31(February), 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, C. (2003). Recreational tourism demand and impacts. Clevedon: Channel View Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salmon, K. (2001). Remembering and reporting by children: The influence of cues and props. Clinical Psychology Review, 21(2), 267–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, G., & Campagna, J. (2008). New meaning for the emotional state of the elderly, from a leisure standpoint. Leisure Studies, 27(2), 207–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirgy, M. J. (2010). Toward a quality-of-life theory for leisure travel satisfaction. Journal of Travel Research, 46(2), 246–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. (2003). Validation of qualitative psychology. In J. Smith (Ed.), Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods (pp. 232–250). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1988). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suchar, C. S., & Rotenberg, R. (1994). Judging the adequacy of shelter: A case of Lincoln Park. Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, 11(2), 149–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thurman, C. (1981). Personality correlates of the type A behavior pattern. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Georgia, Athens.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vallacher, R., & Wegner, D. (1989). Levels of Personal Agency: Individual Variation in Action Identification. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 660–671.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Leeuwen, T., & Jewitt, C. (2001). The handbook of visual analysis. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermuri, A., & Costanza, R. (2006). The role of human, social, built, and natural capital in explaining life satisfaction at the country level: Toward a national well-being index. Ecological Economics, 58, 119–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C. (2003). Using photovoice as a participatory assessment tool: A case study with the homeless in Ann Arbor. In M. Minkler & N. Wallerstein (Eds.), Community-based participatory research for health (pp. 179–196). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., & Burris, M. (1994). Empowerment through photo novella: Portraits of participation. Health Education Quarterly, 21(2), 171–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warren, S. (2005). Photography and voice in critical qualitative management research. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 18(6), 861–881.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weinger, S. (1998, May–June). Children living in poverty: Their perceptions of career opportunities. Families in Society, 79, 320–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westerhof, G., Dittman-Kohli, F., & Katzko, M. (2000). Individualism and collectivism in the personal meaning system of elderly adults: The United States and Congo/Zaire as an example. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 31(6), 649–676.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, F., & Laing, J. (2008). Tourism as a vehicle for livable communities: Case studies from regional Victoria, Australia. Annals of Leisure Research, 11(1/2), 242–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yardley, L. (2000). Dilemma in qualitative health research. Psychology and Health, 15, 215–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yau, M., & Packer, T. (2002). Health and well-being through T’ai Chi: Perceptions of older adults in Hong Kong. Leisure Studies, 21, 163–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zalan, T., & Lewis, G. (2004). Writing about methods in qualitative research: Toward a more transparent approach. In R. Marschan & C. Welch (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research methods for international business (pp. 507–528). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech, 355 Wallace Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Vincent P. Magnini

  2. Department of Marketing, Old Dominion University, 2117 Constant Hall, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA

    John B. Ford

  3. Department of Marketing, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA

    Michael S. LaTour

Authors
  1. Vincent P. Magnini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John B. Ford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michael S. LaTour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vincent P. Magnini .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. State University, Dept. Hospitality & Tourism Management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute &, Blacksburg, 24061, Virgin Islands, USA

    Muzaffer Uysal

  2. State University, Dept. Hospitality & Tourism Management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute &, Blacksburg, 24061, Virgin Islands, USA

    Richard Perdue

  3. Pamlin College of Business, Dept. Marketing, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Pamplin Hall 2025, Blacksburg, 24061-0236, Virgin Islands, USA

    M. Joseph Sirgy

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Magnini, V.P., Ford, J.B., LaTour, M.S. (2012). The Role of Qualitative Methods in Tourism QOL Research: A Critique and Future Agenda. In: Uysal, M., Perdue, R., Sirgy, M. (eds) Handbook of Tourism and Quality-of-Life Research. International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2288-0_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation