Multi-Method Approach to Exploring Social–Ecological Dimensions in a Mediterranean Suburban Beach Setting

Abstract

Research related to social–ecological systems may be enhanced through multi-method approaches to collecting interdisciplinary data and using combinations of analytical tools. In this article we combine different types of data (interval, ordinal, nominal, spatial), methods (participant observation, survey instrument), and analytical tools (IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS] and Geographic Information Systems [GIS]) to identify management relevant linkages across social and ecological dimensions in a Mediterranean suburban beach setting. In particular, we demonstrate the central role of quantitative perception data for identifying pragmatic environmental management measures in coastal recreation scenarios.

Keywords:

• case study approach
• coastal tourism
• GIS
• Mediterranean
• multi-method assessments
• perceptions

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca. We express our gratitude to members of the Chamber of Commerce, in particular Catalina Barceló, Gregorio Bibiloni, and Juan Gual, for their support. Thank you also to Josh Cinner and the two anonymous reviewers whose comments and suggestions provided valuable contributions to the final version of the article.