Introduction: Where qualitative methods meet quantitative methods

Qualitative research methodologies and approaches to undertaking research in tourism are frequently contested by many practitioners and academics. As evidenced by the citation above, many authors provide an extensive discussion of the general approach. However, no text yet provides a well-illustrated guide to the development and use of the multiplicity of qualitative research approaches that are being advanced to understand and ground the researcher in the data; and describe the main theoretical framework underpinning the qualitative paradigm. This edited volume on Qualitative Methods in Tourism Research is written from a cross-disciplinary perspective that provides a rare insight into the art of research development in tourism from the business, sociology and tourism standpoints. This presents a distinctive opportunity for social researchers from a variety of discipline areas, in particular tourism, to examine how to adapt the wide variety of qualitative approaches to their particular research needs. The book seeks to attract research higher degree students and academic researchers involved in qualitative research. Therefore, this book is applicable to particular undergraduate courses as well as all research programmes.