Page 6 - Small_islands_2019

Karl Agius et al.

Methods

The case study approach was used in terms of research design as it provides flexibility as a
multiple methodology facilitating use of a combination of both qualitative and quantitate
methods (Jennings, 2010; Yin, 2014). Figure 2 shows the various methods employed to address
the aims of the study. The multiple case study approach was implemented in such a way as to
apply the same research methods to the different islands under study (Yin, 2014).

CASE STUDY
APPROACH

Ecotourism in Central
Mediterranean Islands

OBSERVATION FOCUS GROUPS INTERVIEWS SURVEYS
(of ecotourists during (with ecotourists who (with stakeholders (with ecotourists
ecotours and of participated in from the study area) before and after the
stakeholders during ecotours) ecotours)
all site visits)
174 participants
±200 participants 17 participants 7/2015 - 7/2016 85 participants
5/2013 - 7/2016 7/2015 - 1/2016 2/2014 - 7/2016

ECOTOURISTS AND ECOTOURISM ISSUES

Figure 2: Components of the case study approach adopted throughout the study.

Research was conducted between May 2013 and July 2016, and over 240 people
participated in the study. Four study visits (one to each archipelago/island), referred to as
preliminary visits, were organised to observe and familiarise oneself with the study area.
Eventually, four ecotours were organised (one to each archipelago/island). The third visits to
each archipelago/island, referred to as the follow-up visit, were held the researcher alone to
conduct a series of interviews with stakeholders.
The ecotours involved organisation of a specific itinerary for 66 ecotourists, who
voluntarily chose to participate in the trips, at their own expense. Forty-three ecotourists
participated in one ecotour, 23 ecotourists participated in two ecotours, and five ecotourists
participated in all three of the organised ecotours, generating a total of 94 ecotourism
experiences. The programmes of the ecotours involved established ecotourism excursions in
protected areas. Surveys were conducted before and after the ecotours to study ecotourists’
motivations, expectations, and satisfaction, a common technique in ecotourism research
(Backman & Morais, 2001; Papadimitriou & Gibson, 2008). The survey was pretested and

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