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ITM Master 1. Sem.
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Fr 08.15-11.30 h H 01
Researching Tourism
Scientists are "Dwarfs standing on the shoulder of giants" - all research is based on the work of those we developed a line of thinking before
No research is objective, all research is based on traditions, assumptions, the way questions are formulated (and to whom they are asked) shape the (possible) answers
All research is based on language and the vocabulary available (happy + lucky = Glücklich; Erfahrung und Erlebnis = Experience)
Two important aspects to be included in thinking about research: - Epistemology (theory of knowledge) of Research methods - talking about something makes it real - Ontology (theory of existence) - Are social entities objective or social constructions? - Definitions shape perception
Example of a critical research project:
Fact: Tourism Management is a program taught at universities around the world predominantly to FEMALE students Hypothesis: A degree in Tourism Management is more attractive to female than to male students as it promises high levels of employability (Management) in combination with a "soft" topic which includes aspects of caring and nurturing as well as aspects of escape (Tourism).
How to design a research project to validate or confute this hypothesis? Who might be interested in the result (and help financing the research)? On which epistemological and ontological assumptions is the hypothesis based?
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Contact:
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt FRGS |
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