Book Description

"Dimensions of Choice (Second Edition) is an introductory text on the philosophy, theory, methods, and techniques applied to interpretive research and qualitative approaches in parks, recreation, tourism, sport, and leisure (PRTSL). The first edition of this book appeared in 1991 at a time when one could almost count on two hands the number of leisure researchers using qualitative approaches. Applying the possibilities of a qualitative approach directly to the park, recreation, and leisure field is promising, and over the past 15 years many more researchers in PRTSL have applied these approaches. This book contains many of the basic (but rethought) premises of the first edition and is expanded to include new issues such as reflexivity, computer aids, linking and mixed methods, evaluating research reports, and other emerging forms of data collection, analysis, and data presentations. This second edition provides a framework for using qualitative data in PRTSL and is designed for anyone who is interested in examining the dimensions of choice pertaining to research conceptualization, design, and analysis including practicing professionals who might want to consider using qualitative approaches for "in-house" research and evaluation in a broad range of recreation services, such as camps, outdoor education, public parks and recreation, youth-serving agencies, sports marketing, tourism promotion, special event planning, and clinical/community therapeutic recreation settings. This text is divided into three parts: (a) the evolution of the use of qualitative approaches applied to PRTSL; (b) a discussion of the methods commonly associated with using qualitative data, including field research and in-depth interviewing, focus groups and image-based analysis; and (c) the procedures and techniques common to most qualitative approaches. Not everything about qualitative methods can be covered in any book, but in this book the reader will be exposed to a broad explanation of possibilities, will learn how choice might be applied to research and evaluation questions in the PRTSL field, and will gain an understanding and appreciation for how and why choices influence research."--Publisher's website.