A Situational Analysis of Child Sex Tourism in Nepal (Kathmandu ...

2. METHODOLOGY
2.1. Data Types
The nature of the research issue calls for a proper mix of qualitative and quantitative
methodology. Qualitative information from each of the diverse groups holds great
importance in drawing the complete portrait of the issue of concern. However, the
patterns and trends have been traced through the quantitative information.
2.2. Data Collection
The data collection has been done through the key informant interviews. The key
informants interviewed are the people in the tourism sector, police, social organisations,
young people, child tourist guides, street children, school-attending children and children
living in the slum area. Structured questionnaire and focus group discussions have been
primarily used as the tools for data collection.
Child centred participatory research methods such as drawings, skits and drama, have
been used in collection of the data. The pictorial questionnaire was used to get the
detailed information on the practice of CST.
Structured questionnaire:
• With people from the tourism sector- The people from the tourism sector has been
seen as the important key informant for the research. Not only the information
regarding tourism but also about what is happening currently in the country
(which can be helpful for the research study) has been gathered from them. The
people interviewed were hotel owners, travel and tour agencies, restaurant
owners, associations in tourism industry, trekking guides, national tourism bodies
etc.
• Police – Police personnel were other key informants in the research. They
provided us with facts and case studies of child sexual exploitation and also the
present trend in child sex tourism.
• Social organisations – Some social organisations working with children at-risk
were also interviewed during the study. These are the places where children go for
any kind of support needed.
• Young people (below 18) – the young people were the major source of
information. Many of these children have shared their life experiences and stories
of their close ones, which have revealed the real picture of the issue.
• Tourists: Some tourists have also been interviewed so that they could also share
other side of the story.
8 A Situational Analysis of Child Sex Tourism in Nepal