The Experimental Method and Leisure/Recreation Research: Current Usage and Future Prospects

A reoccurring theme in critiques of leisure and recreation related research efforts is the need for giving more attention to alternative investigation techniques, particularly experimental and qualitative studies, in order to complement the survey research approach most common to the field (Ellis and Witt, 1983; Mannell, 1983; Riddick, DeSchriver and Weissinger, 1984; Iso-Ahola, 1986; Manning, 1986; MacNeil, 1988; Dann, Nash and Pearce, 1988). Riddick et al. (1984, p. 320) argue that "it seems obvious that if leisure studies is to take its place among more widely recognised disciplines it must adopt multiple methods of inquiry necessary to gain such status". Recently, Howe (1985) presented a case for the increased use of qualitative methods in the study of leisure. This paper provides a content analysis of recently reported experimental research and examines issues relevant to the use of experimental methodologies for the purpose of increasing the appropriate use of experimental methods in leisure and recreation research.