Geographical Investigation (Tourism) Flashcards
What are the accuracy considerations counting the number of people?
Have more than one person doing the counting and average the different counts.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of questionnaire surveys?
The advantages are that they are able to collect a large amount of data in a short time and the results of the questions can usually be quickly and easily quantified to be analysed using statistics. The disadvantages are that respondents with no opinion or no knowledge can answer anyways and misinterpretation of a question can go unnoticed by the researcher. Respondents can also be frustrated because their desired answer is not a choice.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of interviews/open ended questions?
The advantages are that respondents can answer in detail and researchers can ask further questions to clarify the respondent’s answers. The disadvantage is that it takes a long time to carry out and comparisons and statistical analysis are difficult.`
How to count the number of visitors?
- Select a suitable site to conduct the count (usually the entrances or exits to the area)
- Use a pocket tally to keep track of the number of visitors.
How to carry out surveys/questionnaires/interviews?
- Determine the types of information required to answer the guiding question or to test the hypothesis.
- Decide on the number of respondents (also who they will be e.g. tourists or locals)
- Decide on a sampling strategy to select respondents.
- Decide on time frame and location to conduct surveys.
- Administer surveys in the study area.
How to conduct a bi-polar perception survey?
- Determine the categories that will make up the survey required to answer the guiding question or to test the hypothesis.
- Determine the range of the scores (e.g. -2 to 2)
- Decide on the number of respondents (also who they will be e.g. tourists or locals)
- Decide on a sampling strategy to select respondents.
- Decide on time frame and location to conduct surveys.
- Administer surveys in the study area.
How to conduct a land use survey?
- Determine the distance along the road to be included in the land-use survey study area.
- Obtain a large-scale map of the area that shows the separate unit/buildings along the study area.
- Decide on the classification of the land-use for the study area (e.g. accommodation, F&B, tourist attraction, retail, etc.)
- Walk along the road and record the types of land-use on the map.
Evaluate systematic sampling.
Systematic sampling is a method of sampling where the samples are elected according to some ordering scheme. Samples are collected in a regular way through that scheme. Some advantages of systematic sampling is that it reduces human bias and it is an efficient way to carry out sampling as the students only have to decide on a sampling interval. Some disadvantages however is that if the tourists to be surveyed are from different regions, there is a chance that systematic sampling may miss out on tourists from certain regions or under-represent them.
Evaluate random sampling.
It is a method of sampling where every sample in the study area has an equal chance of being picked where a random number generator is used to select samples. Some advantages of random sampling is that it eliminates the occurrence of human biases and is useful when there is a possibility of underlying patterns in the study area. Some disadvantages however is that it is not suitable for selecting survey respondents due to the practical difficulties in selecting the respondent identified by the random number generator.
Evaluate stratified sampling.
Stratified sampling is a method of sampling where the study area is divided up according to some characteristic and samples are collected from each area. An advantage is that it ensure that the different study area are adequately represented in the samples taken. One disadvantage however is that it is harder to administer than random or systematic sampling as it requires the selection of categories.
What are the safety considerations should be taken into account?
In urban environments, students should avoid areas with heavy traffic or construction.
Evaluate the choropleth map
Choropleth maps show spatial distribution using colours or shadings to represent different groupings of data. Some advantages it has is that it can clearly show change from place to place and can identify anomalies in the data easily. Some disadvantages it has it that variation in values within an area cannot be seen and that it can give a misleading impression that changes occur abruptly at the boundaries between two different values.
Evaluate dot maps.
Dot maps show the distribution of data using dots. The dots have a fixed size or value and are drawn on a base map. Some advantages of a dot map is that it shows the specific location of data being represented. It also allows the major features of a distribution to be shown. A disadvantage however is that too many dots makes plotting and counting difficult.
Evaluate maps with proportional symbols.
Symbols drawn are proportional to the values of the data being mapped. Some advantages is that it is useful in showing the distribution of what is being represented on the map. Some disadvantages however is that it is difficult to determine the size of the symbol accurately. It may also be difficult to accurately locate the symbol if it is large.
Evaluate the simple line graph.
It represents one set of continuous data. Some advantages are that it shows trends over time, can easily compare multiple sets of data and can be used to estimate future patterns. Some disadvantages however is that it can only be used with continuous data, is unsuitable if there are only a few values in a data set and that trends can be inaccurate if the scale for the axes are not the same.
