The Potential of Narrative Research in Sports Tourism

Abstract

Narrative inquiry, as one way of theorising and conducting qualitative research, has not been considered by researchers interested in the relationship between sport and tourism, although there is an increasing debate about the greater use of interpretive qualitative research in this area. In a modest effort to galvanize researchers and offer a direction for scholarship, this article seeks to explore narrative as one form of interpretive research. We first offer an understanding of what narrative inquiry can be by laying out a theoretical basis for this kind of research, and making a case for the relevance of narrative as an alternative methodology. Next, consideration is given to conducting narrative research in sports tourism. The article closes by suggesting that narrative inquiry is a germane way of theorising and doing research within sports tourism.

Keywords:

• Narrative
• Interpretive qualitative research
• Sport
• Tourism

Notes

[1] Other ‘structured wholes’ identified by Millward include stories of the excitement of European fixtures; stories of European fixtures as an indicator of the quality of the team; or European fixtures as an important revenue generator.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brett Smith

Brett Smith is in the Qualitative Research Unit, School of Sport & Health Sciences, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, Devon EX1 2LU, UK. [email protected].

Mike Weed

Mike Weed is in the Department of Sport Science, Tourism & Leisure, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1QU, UK.