Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 3.1:
Leisure services spending by Walsall
Borough Council 2003-4
According to S.L.J.Smith (1983a), geographers have approached the analysis of
recreational geography in a number of ways, including
• descriptive research on location
• descriptive research on travel
• explanatory research on location
• explanatory research on travel
• predictive research on location
• predictive research on travel
• normative research on location
• normative research on travel.
For this reason, each of the types of research are briefly discussed to emphasise the
geographer's contribution to supply research where relevant. Due to the constraints of
space, the principal themes discussed here are descriptive research on location and travel,
explanatory research on location and travel, and predictive and normative research on
location. More detail on other aspects of the research developed in this context can be
found in Smith (1983a).
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH ON LOCATION AND TRAVEL
