Consider The Ute Mountain Utes, A Native American Tribe In C

consider The Ute Mountain Utes, a Native American tribe in Colorado. Tourism is a key part of that group's income. Suppose a national economic problem similar to the economic collapse of late 2008 greatly reduced tourism and derived income for this population. Would a grounded theory or a phenomenological approach be the more effective means to understand the influences of that event 5 years later? Why?

A qualitative research approach would be appropriate in this situation. The choice between grounded theory and phenomenological approaches depends on the specific research question and the researcher's background. If the goal is to analyze larger populations, especially tourists affected by the economic downturn, a grounded theory approach would be suitable. Grounded theory involves collecting data while analyzing it simultaneously and developing theories based on emerging patterns, which is ideal for explaining broad phenomena and generating new theoretical insights (Grossoehme, 2014). This approach typically requires larger sample sizes and aims to produce generalizable or overarching explanations.

In contrast, if the research aims to understand the personal and cultural impact of the economic decline on the Ute Mountain Ute tribe itself, a phenomenological approach would be more appropriate. Phenomenology focuses on capturing the lived experiences of individuals, emphasizing personal perceptions and meanings. This approach yields rich, detailed descriptions of how individuals experience and interpret events, often sharing values and insights that are specific to their context (Grossoehme, 2014). Furthermore, if the researcher has personal ties to the tribe, phenomenology allows for an exploration of nuanced, subjective experiences that might not be captured through broader, theory-generating methods.

Because the reduction in tourism income may produce diverse impacts within the community—ranging from economic hardship to cultural and social challenges—a phenomenological approach could uncover the depth and personal significance of these effects. It allows for an understanding of how individuals within the tribe perceive, interpret, and cope with the changes over time, illuminating facets that might be overlooked in quantitative or more generalized qualitative research.

Ultimately, selecting between these methods hinges on the research objectives: a researcher aiming to develop a broad theory or explanation about tourism decline effects might favor grounded theory. Conversely, if the focus is on capturing the rich, subjective experiences of tribe members regarding this economic shift, phenomenology is more suitable. Both approaches have their strengths, and the decision should align with whether the research priority is understanding individual experiences or explaining broad social phenomena (Grossoehme, 2014).

References

• Grossoehme, D. (2014). Research methodology overview of qualitative research. Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy, 20
• Arnold, A., Arnold, B., & Chapman, J. D. (2012). Alaskan communities' responses regarding the economic, sociocultural, and environmental impact of the cruise ship tourism industry. Insights To A Changing World Journal, (2), 29-42.
• Artal-tur, A., Pallardà³-Là³pez, V. J., & Requena-Silvente, F. (2016). Examining the impact of visa restrictions on international tourist flows using panel data. Estudios De Economia, 43(2).
• Elands, B., & Lengkeek, J. (2012). The tourist experience of out-there-ness: theory and empirical research. Forest Policy And Economics.
• Gill, P., Stewart, K., Treasure, E., & Chadwick, B. (2008). Methods of data collection in qualitative research: interviews and focus groups. British Dental Journal, 204(6).
• Grand Canyon University. (2016). Phenomenology and grounded theory. PSY-850 Lecture 4.
• Oliver-Hoyo, M., & Allen, D. (2006). The Use of Triangulation Methods in Qualitative Educational Research. Journal of College Science Teaching, 35(4), 42-47.
• Additional scholarly sources on qualitative research methods and cultural impacts of tourism are recommended for a comprehensive understanding of methodology applications.