RESEARCH METHODS IN TOURISM Nicos Rodosthenous PhD 14/03/ /3/20131Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis Introduction  Undertaking a research it is wise to use existing information rather than collecting new one.  Primary data are new data collected in a research project.  Secondary data already exist and were collected and can be used as a second time (secondary user). Further analysis of such data is referred to as secondary analysis. 14/3/20132Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

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Secondary data: sources and analysis 1.National leisure participation surveys  In most countries leisure surveys are made by government departments or agencies on a regular basis.  Each country adopted different design principles-findings are generally not comparable.  Questions usually used are based on: 14/3/20134Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis  Validity and reliability: How sure can we be, that the resultant data are accurate?  National government statistical organizations have an enviable reputation  Surveys are often based on large sample sizes  There haw been little dramatic variation in the findings of the various surveys  Sample size: the larger the sample size the more reliable and precise are the survey findings. 14/3/20135Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis  Main question-participation reference period:  Four weeks is the participation ‘reference period’  Recent surveys have used the one year conference period by covering participation in all seasons of the year in one survey  Leisure participation surveys do not indicate the total number of people who take part in an activity but the number involve in a specified time-period. 14/3/20136Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis  Age range:  some surveys include young respondents of 12 years old, while others cover only those of aged 18 and over.  The reasons for not interviewing young children are: 1) it may be difficult to obtain accurate info 2) considered ethically unacceptable 3) when children considered to engage in such activities as being under the control of their parents. 14/3/20137Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis For example, for gardening, or going to the opera, young people are not among the most frequent participants.  Social characteristics: national leisure surveys generally include variables as gender, occupation, age, education level, size of family, household and country of birth. 14/3/20138Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis 2. Tourism surveys  Detailed data on domestic and international tourists are obtained by means of interview surveys.  For international tourism, data are available from government international arrivals and departures statistics (ports and airports).  There is also comparison with the data of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) 14/3/20139Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis  In Britain the main source of info on domestic tourism is the Tourism Survey. It s a home-based survey with a monthly sample size.  In Cyprus info for overseas visitors is collected by the Office for National Statistics and the Cyprus Tourism Organization. ( nationality, length of trip, level of expenditure )  Comprehensive data on border crossings are no longer collected due to liberalization of travel. 14/3/201310Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis  Today the main source of data and statistics is the Eurostat - Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account. Eurostat - Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account 3. Economic surveys:  In most developed countries surveys of household expenditure are conducted on a regular basis.  In Cyprus this survey is an annual one. Economic data refer to employment in the tourism industries.  Data are available from national statistical agencies. 14/3/201311Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis  Economic data sources provide the basis for the regular tourism expenditure forecasting and market trend analysis reports. 4. Management data  Many leisure and tourism organizations generate routine data to be used for research purposes.  Most of them have MIS designed to produce data for organizations performance assesment. 14/3/201312Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis  Examples of such data may be available on hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal or annual basis.  It is advisable to explore fully the nature, extent and availability of such data and their potential utilization before starting a fresh data collection.  Case study 1: Conference tourism in Cyprus. 14/3/201313Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

Secondary data: sources and analysis  Before initiating expensive procedures, such as surveys, to investigate this segment of tourism in Cyprus, it would be advisable to study the available visitor/participant data.  i.e whether it was taking place round the year or at certain time/season of the year. 14/3/201314Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

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Secondary data: sources and analysis 5. Documentary sources  As an info source for research, lies between literature and management data.  Many of these sources are important for historical research or as a background for a project. 6. Using secondary data: some useful analysis can be done by using secondary data. 14/3/201316Dr Nicos Rodosthenous

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Secondary data: sources and analysis Summary This chapter is concerned with the use of secondary data and the secondary analysis of existing data, which collected for by others for other purposes. There are also potential cost-saving and time- saving advantages to such a strategy if adequate data already exist. 14/3/201318Dr Nicos Rodosthenous