Field Research in the Methodological System of Tourism Geography

U radu se razmatraju terenska istraživanja kao složena metoda u metodološkom sustavu turističke geografije, znanstvene discipline društvene geografije. Turizam, koji je geografski fenomen, istražuje se kao složen dinamički sustav u stalnim mijenama i transformacijama. Složenost turizma proistječe iz njegovih prostornih, društveno-ekonomskih, političkih, kulturnih, psiholoških, povijesnih, administrativnih, pravnih, organizacijskih i drugih sastavnica koje se u geografskom prostoru isprepleću, nadopunjavaju i suprotstavljaju preobražavajući kulturni krajolik turističke regije. U radu se izdvajaju temeljna obilježja terenskih istraživanja: složenost, sveobuhvatnost, temeljitost te upotreba triangulacijskih postupaka i metoda. Predlažu se triangulacijske metode i postupci poput metode promatranja, individualnog intervjuiranja i fokus-grupa, anketiranja, terenskog skiciranja i kartiranja, fotografskog snimanja i videosnimanja te sudioničkog promatranja. Nadalje, izdvajaju se i objašnjavaju tri osnovne etape terenskih istraživanja: pripremna, provedbena i završna. Predlaže se vrednovanje studentskih postignuća na preddiplomskome, diplomskom i doktorskom studiju geografije provedbom praktičnih terenskih ispita s ciljem jačanja kompetencija u istraživačkim i aplikativnim radovima i projektima.The focus of this work is field research as a complex method of the methodological system of tourism geography, a scientific discipline of human geography. Tourism as a geographical phenomenon is researched here as a complex dynamic system in constant flux and transformation. The complexity of tourism is to be found in its spatial, socio-economical, political, cultural, psychological, historical, administrative, legal, organisational and other components, which are all interconnected in geographical space, and thus compliment and oppose each other, thereby transforming the cultural landscape of a tourist region. This work will single out basic characteristics of fieldwork: complexity, all-inclusiveness, depth and the use of triangular procedures and methods. Triangular methods and procedures such methods of observation as individual interviews and focus groups, questionnaires, landscape mapping, photo and video recording as well participatory observation. Furthermore, special focus will be placed on the three separate stages of field research: the preparatory, executing and concluding phase. Student achievements at the undergraduate, graduate and post graduate level in the study of geography by applying practical field examinations will be suggested here: the aim of this is to increase competence in applied research and other projects