The Role of Niche Tourism Products in Destination - Repository ...

2004, p.14). It recognises multiple approaches combining more innovative approaches to data collection with more traditional
techniques for collecting qualitative data such as in-depth interviews and focus groups. Thus the researcher works as a bricoleur 8
within the methodologies that best fit their needs in relation to the research problem and setting. Pansiri comments on how
‘pragmatism has been hailed as the best paradigm for justifying the use of mixed-methods research’ (Pansiri, 2006, p.223).
Pragmatically orientated researchers often use a mixed methodology which contains both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
The essence of my research has been a mixed-method approach where both qualitative and quantitative research methods have
been used independently, or together, to develop analysis, explain results and provide fresh insights into the research fields being
examined.
3.4 Research Methods
The length of time in which my research has been conducted (ten years) indicates that a range and mixture of methods have been
employed throughout the research process. Figure 3 demonstrates the array of different research methods presented in the papers
used for this critical appraisal. What is evident is the combination of both qualitative and quantitative research (Pansiri, 2005; 2006).
Often qualitative methods have been used to test ideas and theories and to help frame the quantitative survey instrument and
collect and generate data. Research methods were chosen that would help to achieve the research objectives of each area of
study. This was often a linear process where previous research findings would help to mould and shape subsequent research
processes (Papers 1 – 4).
8 ‘an individual who pieces together sets of practices to make a solution to a puzzle’ (Phillimore and Goodson, 2004, p.34)