1.1 Constructing Hypotheses
Hypotheses are statements that form the basis of fieldwork. It serves to direct the focus of the investigation and shapes ‘how’ and ‘what’ data would be collected.
A place is a tourist destination when there a diversity of attractions that are authentic, clean and safe.
A place is a tourist destination when it is easily accessible from all parts of the country and has a wide range of tourist services that are clean and safe.
1.2 Consider what data is needed
In your group discuss the types of data required to support your hypothesis.
Example
Various possible sources of primary and secondary data (e.g. which group of tourists, and use ground floor data only?)
The appropriate ways to collect data which is related to sampling methods (e.g. how do we select the tourists, how many tourists do we interview, over what period of time, do we consider the stalls on the street, do we take close-up photos and where do we stand to observe the place?)
Ensuring that data collected is relevant to the inquiry, reliable and accurate (e.g. what are some of the ways in which we could ‘contaminate’ the data collected, do we need to consider the impact of other factors like the time of the day or year?)
Various possible sources of primary and secondary data (e.g. which group of tourists, and use ground floor data only?)
The appropriate ways to collect data which is related to sampling methods (e.g. how do we select the tourists, how many tourists do we interview, over what period of time, do we consider the stalls on the street, do we take close-up photos and where do we stand to observe the place?)
Ensuring that data collected is relevant to the inquiry, reliable and accurate (e.g. what are some of the ways in which we could ‘contaminate’ the data collected, do we need to consider the impact of other factors like the time of the day or year?)
1.3 Data collection methods
In your group, briefly discuss how you would collect your data.
You can refer to the sub-page on how data can be collected.
1. Pilot Survey
What is a pilot survey?
A pilot survey is a strategy used to test the questionnaire using a smaller sample compared to the planned sample size. In this phase of conducting a survey, the questionnaire is administered to a percentage of the total sample population, or in more informal cases just to a convenience sample.
What are the advantages of a pilot survey?
To test methodology / find out if any problems / check sample size
Opportunity to change methodology / make improvements
Gain confidence in doing fieldwork / practice / gain experience