Island settings and their influence on geographical research methods

Bibliographic Data

ID5696141
AuthorsKarl Agius (0000-0003-2869-2427, University of Malta, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume61
Issue1
Pages117-126
Publication date2023-02-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeographical Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1745-5863 • E-ISSN: 1745-5871
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1745-5871.12571
OpenAlexW4309756933
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited28

This study presents lessons learned from the application of mixed methods during three field visits to central Mediterranean islands over an eight-year period to learn about and from visitors who voluntarily paid to experience ecotourism. The study outlines various challenges encountered in research in small island settings. Such challenges include logistical difficulties to reach islands, including those originating from weather conditions, difficulty in practising observation in small communities, sampling dilemmas, different levels of trust and willingness to disclose views among interview participants, lack of standardised data, language barriers that may limit who conducts research on specific islands, and substantial fluctuations in population size throughout the year. Findings show that the choice and application of methods for island research need to be informed by island dynamics; this entails adapting methods and using different data collection techniques to mitigate challenges arising from island settings. The study also outlines the need of more research in the application of mixed methods when studying islands

Data collection · Environmental planning · Environmental protection · Environmental resource management · Geography · Population · Small island · Social science · Sociology · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies · Demography · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs

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