Studying the Social Aspects of Leisure: Development of the Multiple-Method Field Investigation Model (MMFI)

Abstract

A Multiple-Method Field Investigation Model (MMFI) is proposed in order to provide a strategy for balancing social psychological inquiry of leisure. The Model extends former multimethod recommendations, being organized on two dimensions. These are (a) proximity or closeness to the interactive leisure context or incident (i.e., directly interacting, observing interaction, or using out-of-context records), and (b) time relative to the leisure context or incident (before, during, and after). A number of methods, including observation, interview, and primary and secondary records have been incorporated to suggest how time and proximity to the interactive context/incident can be operationalized to examine the social factors of personal leisure more adequately.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiple methods
• leisure
• social psychology
• social interaction
• meaning