1st Edition

Research Methods in Outdoor Studies

Edited By Barbara Humberstone, Heather Prince Copyright 2020
    374 Pages 30 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    374 Pages 30 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    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.