Coastal and marine tourism has the potential to radically transform natural and social systems. R... more Coastal and marine tourism has the potential to radically transform natural and social systems. Responsibilities for the condition of complex natural and social systems are properly addressed in the context of sustainable development. Tourism governance—regarded as more than management—concerns structures and processes that can be described and improved in accordance with societal values. Papers from the 6th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress illustrate how the African ubuntu dynamic gives meaning to tourism and facilitates positive touristic outcomes. Maturation of the field will be stimulated with studies of such issues as globalization and environmental change, cultural and biological diversity, social and ecological health, governance, and social and environmental justice.
The organizing theme of the 7th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress was “Planning, ... more The organizing theme of the 7th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress was “Planning, Designing, and Managing the Destination.” This editorial begins with a commentary on how “destination” has been conceptualized and defined over the last several decades in the multidisciplinary tourism literature. Six articles presented at CMT '12 are introduced in this special double issue. Taken together they illustrate a variety of research questions and results bearing on the condition and future of coastal and marine tourism destinations.
Differences in ethnic beliefs about the perceived need for local anesthesia for tooth drilling an... more Differences in ethnic beliefs about the perceived need for local anesthesia for tooth drilling and childbirth labor were surveyed among Anglo-Americans, Mandarin Chinese, and Scandinavians (89 dentists and 251 patients) matched for age, gender, and occupation. Subjects matched survey questionnaire items selected from previously reported interview results to estimate (a) their beliefs about the possible use of anesthetic for tooth drilling and labor pain compared with other possible remedies and (b) the choice of pain descriptors associated with the use of nonuse of anesthetic, including descriptions of injection pain. Multidimensional scaling, Gamma, and Chi-square statistics as well as odds ratios and Spearman's correlations were employed in the analysis. Seventy-seven percent of American informants reported the use of anesthetics as possible remedies for drilling and 51% reported the use of anesthetics for labor pain compared with 34% that reported the use of anesthetics among...
SUMMARYBecause the Anthropocene by definition is an epoch during which environmental change is la... more SUMMARYBecause the Anthropocene by definition is an epoch during which environmental change is largely anthropogenic and driven by social, economic, psychological and political forces, environmental social scientists can effectively analyse human behaviour and knowledge systems in this context. In this subject review, we summarize key ways in which the environmental social sciences can better inform fisheries management policy and practice and marine conservation in the Anthropocene. We argue that environmental social scientists are particularly well positioned to synergize research to fill the gaps between: (1) local behaviours/needs/worldviews and marine resource management and biological conservation concerns; and (2) large-scale drivers of planetary environmental change (globalization, affluence, technological change, etc.) and local cognitive, socioeconomic, cultural and historical processes that shape human behaviour in the marine environment. To illustrate this, we synthesize...
This book seeks to underscore the need for scientific approaches to first understanding and then ... more This book seeks to underscore the need for scientific approaches to first understanding and then managing tourist interactions with marine wildlife. It draws upon the work of leading natural and social scientists whose work serves the interests of sustainable wildlife-based marine tourism. Thus from within the natural science disciplines of marine biology, environmental science, behavioural ecology, conservation biology, and wildlife management come chapters that provide insights into the effects of human disturbance on marine wildlife, the impacts that tourists may have upon wild animals, and the management approaches to mitigating impacts that may in the long term be biologically significant. Equally from the social science disciplines of geography, sociology, management and social anthropology are drawn chapters that explore demand for marine wildlife experiences, the benefits that visitors derive from their experiences, ethical and legislative contexts, and management issues tha...
A quantitative method for validating qualitative interview results and checking sample parameters... more A quantitative method for validating qualitative interview results and checking sample parameters is described and illustrated using common pain descriptions among a sample of Anglo-American and mandarin Chinese patients and dentists matched by age and gender. Assumptions were that subjects were members of a sociocultural group (e.g. ethnic or professional~lay) and answered questions independently about a monotonic domain (e.g. pain). Subjects answered 18 true~false items derived from and selected to reflect pain perceptions consistent with published and unpublished interview data. Estimates of consistency in use of descriptors within groups, validity of description, accuracy of individuals compared with others in their group, and minimum required sample size were calculated using Cronbach's o~, factor analysis, and Bayesian probability. Ethnic and professional differences within and across groups were also tested using multidimensional scaling (MDS) and hypothesis testing. Consensus (consistency of subject response by group) was .99 among Anglo-Americans and .97 among Chinese. Mean subject accuracy was .81 for Americans and .57 for Chinese, indicating the need for larger numbers of Chinese to supplement each others' statements. However, larger numbers of subjects were recruited than actually required for each ethnic group at .95 confidence limits. MDS showed similarities in use of descriptors within ethnic groups, while there were differences (p < .001) between Chinese and American groups. Use of covalidating questionnaires that reflect results of qualitative interviews are recommended in order to estimate sample parameters such as intersubject agreement, individual subject accuracy, and minimum required sample sizes.
Humans are transforming the coastal and marine tourism environment at an ever-increasing rate. Co... more Humans are transforming the coastal and marine tourism environment at an ever-increasing rate. Concurrently, the multiple amenities and natural resources of coastal zones and the reality of population growth contribute to omnipresent tourism user conflicts. This results in social, wicked, and super wicked problems that are value infused, difficult to frame, and seemingly intractable. In response, scientists and other experts are encouraged to engage in use-inspired research. Further, they are advised to reconsider the basic applied science dichotomy and to make policy contributions in the role of the honest broker. Articles from the 8th International Congress on Coastal and Marine Tourism are introduced that deal with tsunami vulnerability (Thailand), wreck diving (Australia/Micronesia), national forest planning (Gulf of Alaska), cruise industry research, aquatic safety (Australia), surfing expansion (South Africa), stakeholder relations (Zanzibar, Tanzania), and kiteboarding (the N...
This article comments briefly on the origins of surfing and its growth through the 20th century, ... more This article comments briefly on the origins of surfing and its growth through the 20th century, discusses the growth of participation in surfing, and then uses a range of social science techniques including observed market expenditure and nonmarket valuation to describe the socioeconomic value of surfing at various locations. The findings demonstrate the significant economic, social, and cultural importance of surfing amenity, the need to clearly articulate and measure changes in recreational amenity, and the need to consider any negative impacts on surf breaks and the natural environment that may occur as a result of development, coastal planning, and protection works.
Coastal and marine tourism has the potential to radically transform natural and social systems. R... more Coastal and marine tourism has the potential to radically transform natural and social systems. Responsibilities for the condition of complex natural and social systems are properly addressed in the context of sustainable development. Tourism governance—regarded as more than management—concerns structures and processes that can be described and improved in accordance with societal values. Papers from the 6th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress illustrate how the African ubuntu dynamic gives meaning to tourism and facilitates positive touristic outcomes. Maturation of the field will be stimulated with studies of such issues as globalization and environmental change, cultural and biological diversity, social and ecological health, governance, and social and environmental justice.
The organizing theme of the 7th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress was “Planning, ... more The organizing theme of the 7th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress was “Planning, Designing, and Managing the Destination.” This editorial begins with a commentary on how “destination” has been conceptualized and defined over the last several decades in the multidisciplinary tourism literature. Six articles presented at CMT &amp;#39;12 are introduced in this special double issue. Taken together they illustrate a variety of research questions and results bearing on the condition and future of coastal and marine tourism destinations.
Differences in ethnic beliefs about the perceived need for local anesthesia for tooth drilling an... more Differences in ethnic beliefs about the perceived need for local anesthesia for tooth drilling and childbirth labor were surveyed among Anglo-Americans, Mandarin Chinese, and Scandinavians (89 dentists and 251 patients) matched for age, gender, and occupation. Subjects matched survey questionnaire items selected from previously reported interview results to estimate (a) their beliefs about the possible use of anesthetic for tooth drilling and labor pain compared with other possible remedies and (b) the choice of pain descriptors associated with the use of nonuse of anesthetic, including descriptions of injection pain. Multidimensional scaling, Gamma, and Chi-square statistics as well as odds ratios and Spearman's correlations were employed in the analysis. Seventy-seven percent of American informants reported the use of anesthetics as possible remedies for drilling and 51% reported the use of anesthetics for labor pain compared with 34% that reported the use of anesthetics among...
SUMMARYBecause the Anthropocene by definition is an epoch during which environmental change is la... more SUMMARYBecause the Anthropocene by definition is an epoch during which environmental change is largely anthropogenic and driven by social, economic, psychological and political forces, environmental social scientists can effectively analyse human behaviour and knowledge systems in this context. In this subject review, we summarize key ways in which the environmental social sciences can better inform fisheries management policy and practice and marine conservation in the Anthropocene. We argue that environmental social scientists are particularly well positioned to synergize research to fill the gaps between: (1) local behaviours/needs/worldviews and marine resource management and biological conservation concerns; and (2) large-scale drivers of planetary environmental change (globalization, affluence, technological change, etc.) and local cognitive, socioeconomic, cultural and historical processes that shape human behaviour in the marine environment. To illustrate this, we synthesize...
This book seeks to underscore the need for scientific approaches to first understanding and then ... more This book seeks to underscore the need for scientific approaches to first understanding and then managing tourist interactions with marine wildlife. It draws upon the work of leading natural and social scientists whose work serves the interests of sustainable wildlife-based marine tourism. Thus from within the natural science disciplines of marine biology, environmental science, behavioural ecology, conservation biology, and wildlife management come chapters that provide insights into the effects of human disturbance on marine wildlife, the impacts that tourists may have upon wild animals, and the management approaches to mitigating impacts that may in the long term be biologically significant. Equally from the social science disciplines of geography, sociology, management and social anthropology are drawn chapters that explore demand for marine wildlife experiences, the benefits that visitors derive from their experiences, ethical and legislative contexts, and management issues tha...
A quantitative method for validating qualitative interview results and checking sample parameters... more A quantitative method for validating qualitative interview results and checking sample parameters is described and illustrated using common pain descriptions among a sample of Anglo-American and mandarin Chinese patients and dentists matched by age and gender. Assumptions were that subjects were members of a sociocultural group (e.g. ethnic or professional~lay) and answered questions independently about a monotonic domain (e.g. pain). Subjects answered 18 true~false items derived from and selected to reflect pain perceptions consistent with published and unpublished interview data. Estimates of consistency in use of descriptors within groups, validity of description, accuracy of individuals compared with others in their group, and minimum required sample size were calculated using Cronbach's o~, factor analysis, and Bayesian probability. Ethnic and professional differences within and across groups were also tested using multidimensional scaling (MDS) and hypothesis testing. Consensus (consistency of subject response by group) was .99 among Anglo-Americans and .97 among Chinese. Mean subject accuracy was .81 for Americans and .57 for Chinese, indicating the need for larger numbers of Chinese to supplement each others' statements. However, larger numbers of subjects were recruited than actually required for each ethnic group at .95 confidence limits. MDS showed similarities in use of descriptors within ethnic groups, while there were differences (p < .001) between Chinese and American groups. Use of covalidating questionnaires that reflect results of qualitative interviews are recommended in order to estimate sample parameters such as intersubject agreement, individual subject accuracy, and minimum required sample sizes.
Humans are transforming the coastal and marine tourism environment at an ever-increasing rate. Co... more Humans are transforming the coastal and marine tourism environment at an ever-increasing rate. Concurrently, the multiple amenities and natural resources of coastal zones and the reality of population growth contribute to omnipresent tourism user conflicts. This results in social, wicked, and super wicked problems that are value infused, difficult to frame, and seemingly intractable. In response, scientists and other experts are encouraged to engage in use-inspired research. Further, they are advised to reconsider the basic applied science dichotomy and to make policy contributions in the role of the honest broker. Articles from the 8th International Congress on Coastal and Marine Tourism are introduced that deal with tsunami vulnerability (Thailand), wreck diving (Australia/Micronesia), national forest planning (Gulf of Alaska), cruise industry research, aquatic safety (Australia), surfing expansion (South Africa), stakeholder relations (Zanzibar, Tanzania), and kiteboarding (the N...
This article comments briefly on the origins of surfing and its growth through the 20th century, ... more This article comments briefly on the origins of surfing and its growth through the 20th century, discusses the growth of participation in surfing, and then uses a range of social science techniques including observed market expenditure and nonmarket valuation to describe the socioeconomic value of surfing at various locations. The findings demonstrate the significant economic, social, and cultural importance of surfing amenity, the need to clearly articulate and measure changes in recreational amenity, and the need to consider any negative impacts on surf breaks and the natural environment that may occur as a result of development, coastal planning, and protection works.
Protected destination systems (PDSs) are touristic spaces with two parts: a protected area and a ... more Protected destination systems (PDSs) are touristic spaces with two parts: a protected area and a gateway region where nature meets commerce. This chapter focuses on the social benefits of spatial planning and draws on remote sensing and GIS literatures highlighting social science, ecology and conservation, and parks and protected area applications. A conceptual framework is introduced for the multidisciplinary study of the human, artifactual (e.g., the built environment, laws, policies, projects) and natural domains. Remote sensing tools that hold promise for PDS sustainability encompass diverse sensors and platforms that facilitate aerial photography, satellite, drone, smartphone, and related research activity.
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Papers by Marc Miller