Suchergebnisse

Tourism economics is partly based on established principles from the economics discipline, but it also incorporates elements from sociology, psychology, organization theory and ecology. It has over the years turned into an appealing multi-disciplinary oriented approach to the understanding of the impacts of leisure time in a modern society, including cultural heritage, sustainable quality of life, and industrial organization of the hospitality industry. The increasing dynamics in the tourist industry and its worldwide effects will continue to attract the attention of both the research and the policy sector in the years to come. Rather than speculating on non-observed facts, there is a clear need for evidence-based research in order to map out the complex dynamics of the tourist industry. The present volume comprises novel studies - mainly of a quantitative-analytical nature - on the supply, demand and contextual aspects of modern tourism. It contains a sound mix of theory, methodology, policy and case studies on various tourism issues in different parts of the world.​

Die theoretischen Korrelationsprobleme zwischen Erkenntniseigentümlichkeiten in den Geistes- und Naturwissenschaften werden diskutiert. Allgemeine Gesichtspunkte und Unterschiede zwischen deskriptiven und quantitativen Methoden, die in den Geisteswissenschaften verwendet werden, werden analysiert. Der Trend in Richtung Integration verschiedener Wissenschaften, das Aufkommen von Massendaten und die Entwicklung der elektronischen Datenverarbeitung sind die Gründe dafür, mathematische Methoden in die Geschichtswissenschaft der UdSSR einzuführen. (psz)

This book undertakes a philosophical examination of a number of important quantitative research methods in the behavioral sciences, in order to overcome the shallow and uncritical understanding that is typically provided by textbooks. The methods are: exploratory data analysis, statistical significance testing, Bayesian confirmation theory and statistics, meta-analysis, and exploratory factor analysis. Further readings are provided to extend the readers' understanding.

The increasing use of quantitative methods in policy analysis raises a number of problems connected with 'squishy' or ill-defined problems, which are frequently encountered in governmental policy formation. Such problems can be defined by the absence of an unequivocal basis for choosing a mathematical model. A 3-level conceptual model of such problems is formulated: the actual problem, the formal problem resulting from conceptualizing the actual problem, & the mathematical model of the formal problem. The formal problem may derive from the actual problem, & risk being unanalyzable; or it may derive from the analytical techniques available, & risk being irrelevant. 2 ways of using models are distinguished: (1) as surrogates for substantive problems, such as Newtonian mechanics, or (2) as perspectives on them, such as 2-dimensional perspective drawing. The 2nd approach may be preferable in dealing with 'squishy' problems, despite its risks. 7 Figures. Modified HA.