A Census Methodology for Outdoor Adventure Research

Authors

  • Brent J. Bell University of New Hampshire
  • Jeff Turner Georgia College
  • Elizabeth Andre Northland College
  • Kellie Gerbers Westminster College
  • Jeremy Jostad Eastern Washington University
  • Will Hobbs Brevard College
  • Katherine Collins Brevard College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2023-11560

Keywords:

Methods, Census, Outdoor Adventure Education

Abstract

This research note argues the outdoor adventure profession needs census research studies. Although conceptually simple, a census is a laborious process needing methodological guidance. This paper provides suggestions for conducting a census. Four previous outdoor adventure census projects are referenced. These, along with the U.S. Census, are used to highlight the key decisions researchers make when utilizing census methods.

Author Biography

Brent J. Bell, University of New Hampshire

Associate Professor of Kinesiology: Outdoor Education at the University of New Hampshire.

References

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Bell, B. J. (2022). The third census of outdoor orientation programs in the United States, 2019. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Leadership. doi:10.18666/JOREL-2022-11219

Bell, B. J., Gass, M. A., Nafziger, C. S., & Starbuck, J. D. (2014). The state of knowledge of outdoor orientation programs: Current practices, research, and theory. Journal of Experiential Education, 37(1), 31-45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053825913518891

Bell, B. J., Holmes, M. R. & Williams, B. G. (2010). A census of outdoor orientation programs at four-year colleges in the United States. Journal of Experiential Education, 33(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.7768/1948-5123.1075

Bell, B. J., Horner, J., & Morrissette, R. (2020). Community college outdoor leadership degree programs—Looking for leadership. Proceedings of the Symposium of Experiential Education Research, Association for Experiential Education.

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Grabow, M., Hahn, M. & Whited, M. (2010). Valuing bicycling’s economic and health impact in Wisconsin. The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prepared report for Representative Spencer Black. https://headwaterseconomics.org/wp-content/uploads/Trail_Study_75-economic-health-benefits-cycling-wisconsin.pdf

Harris, D. (2018). The National Center for Research on Educational Access and Choice. National Center for Educational Research. https://ies.ed.gov/ncer//projects/grant.asp?ProgID=13&grantid=2210

Kish, L. (1979). Samples and censuses. International Statistical Review, 47(2), 99-109.

Loeb, S. & Bassock, D. (2010). The availability of early childhood education and care in the United States: Exploring links between policy, availability and effects, 1990-2005. National Center for Educational Research. https://ies.ed.gov/ncer/projects/grant.asp?ProgID=7&year=all&grantid=1029

Priest, S., Gass, M. A. (2018). Effective leadership in adventure programming. Human Kinetics.

Sunderland, W.J. (2006). Ecological Census Techniques: A handbook. 2nd Edition, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Turner, J., Jostad, J., Andre, E., Bell, B.J., Collins, K.C., Gerbers, K., & Hobbs, W. (2022). Overview of the landscape of outdoor programs in higher education. Abstracts from the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors 15th Biennial Research Symposium, p. 85-87

United States Census (2020). 2020 Population and housing state data. The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15th, 2022, from https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html

U.S. Census Bureau (2012). Section 26. Arts, recreation and travel Retrieved February 15th, 2022, from https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2011/compendia/statab/131ed/arts-recreation-travel.html

United States Census (n.d.). Decennial census of population and housing. The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15th, 2022, from https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html

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Published

2023-01-30

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2023)

Section

Research Note

License

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