1st Edition
Research Methods in Outdoor Studies
Over the last two decades Outdoor Studies has emerged as an innovative and vibrant field of study. This is the first book to offer a comprehensive appraisal of established and cutting-edge research methods as applied to Outdoor Studies.
Covering qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, the book examines key methodologies, themes and technologies such as digital research, mobile methodologies, ethnography, interviews, research design, research ethics and ways of disseminating research.
Featuring contributions from leading researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, this is an essential text for any Outdoor Studies course or for researchers looking for innovative and creative research techniques.
Introduction
Editors
Part I: Conceptualising and initiating the research process
1. Entangled philosophical and methodological dimensions of research in outdoor studies? Living with(in) messy theorisation.
Kathleen Pleasants and Alistair Stewart
2. Ethical issues and practicalities in outdoor studies research
Barbara Humberstone and Carol Cutler Riddick
3. Designing effective research projects in outdoor studies
Heather Prince and Liz Mallabon
Part II: Qualitative methodologies – choosing an appropriate approach
4. Phenomenological approaches to research in outdoor studies
John Telford
5. A critical examination of the place of interviews in outdoor studies research
Allen Hill, Philippa Morse and Janet Dyment
6. Methods and techniques for capturing empirical material from experiences and stories in outdoor spaces and places
Heidi Smith
7. Mobilising research methods: Sensory approaches to outdoor and experiential learning research
Sue Waite and Phil Waters
8. Capturing complexity and collaborative emergence through case study design: An ecosocial framework for researching outdoor sustainability education practice
Alison Lugg
9. Ethnographic research in outdoor studies
Ina Stan
10. Autoethnography: Creating stories that make a difference
Barbara Humberstone and Robbie Nicol
11. Thinking the social through myself: Reflexivity in research practice
Rebecca Olive
12. Finding my professional voice: Autobiography as a research method for outdoor studies
Mark Leather
Part III: Contemporary creative qualitative methods
13. Creative nonfiction in outdoor studies
Ben Clayton and Emily Coates
14. Shared-story approaches in outdoor studies: The HEAR (Hermeneutics, Auto/Ethnography and Action Research) ‘listening’ methodological model
Tracy Ann Hayes and Heather Prince
15. Digital narrative methodology and multisensory outdoor ethnography
Kirsti Pedersen Gurholt
16. Practising feminist reflexivity: Collaborative letter writing as method
Pip Lynch, Martha Bell, Marg Cosgriff and Robyn Zink
17. Post-qualitative inquiry in outdoor studies: A radical (non-)methodology
Jamie Mcphie and David A.G. Clarke
18. Together along the way: Applying mobilities through praxis in outdoor studies field research
Philip M. Mullins
19. Mobile methods in outdoor studies: Walking interviews with educators
Jonathan Lynch
20. Sensing the outdoors through research: Multisensory, multimedia, multimodal and multiliteracy possibilities lisahunter
21. Representing experience: Creative methods and emergent analysis
Marcus Morse and Philippa Morse
Part IV: Quantitative and mixed methods
22. Deriving metrics and measures in outdoor research
Roger Scrutton
23. Scientific investigations in outdoor environments
Lois Mansfield
24. Mixed methods research in outdoor studies: Paradigmatic considerations
Kass Gibson and Mark Leather
25. Mixed methods research in outdoor studies: Practical applications
Suzanne Peacock and Eric Brymer
26. Quantitative analyses of small samples with complex data-structures
Ulrich Dettweiler
Part V: Disseminating, communicating and sharing research
27. Publishing and disseminating outdoor studies research
Linda Allin, Heather Prince and Barbara Humberstone
28. Research hubs: The theory-practice nexus
Carrie Hedges, Chris Loynes and Sue Waite
29. Knocking on doors in the policy corridor – can research in outdoor studies contribute to policy change? A professional narrative on shaping educational policy and practice in Scotland
Peter Higgins
Biography
Barbara Humberstone is Professor of Sociology of Sport and Outdoor Education at Buckinghamshire New University, UK, and Visiting Professor at Plymouth Marjon University, UK. She is also Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. Her research interests include: Embodiment, alternative/ nature-based physical activities and life-long learning, wellbeing and outdoor pedagogies, and social and environmental justice.
Heather Prince is Professor at the University of Cumbria, UK. She is interested in pedagogic practice in outdoor and environmental education, including the design of higher education courses and support for research programmes, students and staff. Her research interests are in school-based outdoor learning, sustainability and adventure. She is Associate Editor of the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK.