Qualitative Research in Tourism: Reflections of an Asian Researcher

Reflexivity is described as a method that demands the conscious and deliberate inclusion of the full self throughout the research process and involves continuous, intentional and systematic self-introspection. As the researcher’s identity, emotions, values and beliefs shape the tourism research process, identification of the self is therefore essential in reflexive research in order to situate the research. Reflecting on my own experience as a researcher and research supervisor is the subject of this chapter. Indeed, through self-reflexivity I take the opportunity to reflect on more than 25 years of experience as a researcher. I explore how my personal history or background has shaped my research paradigms as well as my ontological and epistemological assumptions in research. I identify and discuss the challenges I face with regard to qualitative research and conclude with how this chapter can contribute to knowledge and practice in tourism research.