ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to explore the life and work history methodology, and to discuss its potential use in tourism and hospitality research. The intention is both to discuss the historical developments of the methodology and, using a selection of qualitative findings, to illustrate both the current application and the potential use of this type of research. Life and work histories are a distinct methodology in the sense that they are concerned with a particular branch of activity – in this case, all historical aspects of an individual’s life. The methods used to collect life and work history information are varied, and comprise both quantitative and qualitative techniques.
