Examining the impact and influence of the leisure science literature

ABSTRACTThis study explored the impact and influence of the leisure sciences literature through an analysis of highly cited articles. Discriminant function analysis identified whether articles had more exclusive impact inside or outside the field. Research themes and methodologies were examined based on these classifications. Results indicate articles with the greatest impact within the leisure literature tended to be quantitative studies drawing upon survey data and non-experimental designs focused on general leisure and outdoor/forest recreation. Articles with the greatest impact outside the leisure literature were more recent and focused on place attachment, psychological motivation, or community parks and recreation and used quasi-experimental design or measurement development approaches. Based on this study’s findings, to increase the interdisciplinary relevance of the leisure science literature more theoretically framed studies employing quasi-experimental or measurement development approaches focus...