A demographic analysis of recreation participants: a comparison among three surveys

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Three major recreation behavior surveys were conducted in Missouri between 1997 and 2004. The Missouri State Parks Visitor Study, the Conservation Opinion Survey, and the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment were conducted to survey the recreation choices of Missourians, as well as their socio-demographic characteristics. The purpose of the investigation was to determine if data collected through surveys of varied methodology is comparable, and thus applicable in contexts that vary from the context of the original data collection. This study investigated differences in the results of these studies for walkers, hikers, and bicyclists as they pertain to respondents' gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and urban or rural residency. Chi-square tests indicated significant differences among the three groups for 17 of 18 inquiries. Based on results of this study, the researcher concluded that the studies are not compatible and advised managers to avoid using general population surveys to project demand, evaluate services, and plan for specific recreation sites.