Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

Title:
The application of social survey methods in analysing the tourist activity of seniors

Author

Zbigniew Głąbiński - Univeristy of Szczecin, Faculty of Geosciences, Departament of Tourism, Mickiewicza 16, 70-383 Szczecin, Poland; phone: +48 914 443 858; e-mail: zbyszek@globtour.pl

Keywords
senior tourism, social survey, quantitative paradigm, qualitative paradigm

Abstract
The aim of the article is to discuss the possibilities of applying social research methods in the analysis of seniors' tourism activity. It emphasises the fact that research related to the participation of seniors in tourism is of major significance in many countries with rapidly changing population. The author mentions the methodological determinants of conducting social research that derive from two basic paradigms: quantitative and qualitative. Based on examples from the literature, the article presents the benefits and limitations of their use in conducting research on seniors' tourism activity. In the final part of the article, the author lists the methodological postulates regarding the implementation of the research among seniors as a specific segment of tourism activity.

Pages:
51-65

DOI:
10.1515/bog-2015-0004

BGSS No. 27 (2015)