A typology of quantitative approaches to discovery

Annals of Tourism Research has a long history of discovery using many different research approaches. This study aims to encourage questioning of the currently dominant quantitative research designs by (1) proposing a typology of approaches to discovery; (2) determining how often each of these approaches is currently used; and (3) discussing issues relating to validity and generalisability. Key findings include that 72 % of empirical, studies rely on survey data; only 21 % measure actual behaviour or investigate secondary data capturing actual behaviour; and only 1 % represent (quasi)experimental field studies. The proposed typology helps tourism researchers (1) gain methodological clarity about alternative quantitative research designs and (2) declare the type of discovery method they are using to ensure results are not misinterpreted. • The proposed typology distinguishes nine types of quantitative discovery in tourism. • The different types of quantitative discovery support certain types of conclusions. • Most recent tourism studies use self-reports (72 %); only 21 % measure actual behaviour. • (Quasi-)experimental field studies are rare (1 %). • Recommendations are drawn based on the typology and the status quo of the field.