The issue of methodological rigour within the data collection process in tourism and sports studies investigating the economic impact of sporting events

The economic impact of sporting events continues to attract the interest of academics and marketers globally. This paper aims to identify the issues concerning methodological rigour within the data collection process in relation to contemporary sporting event impact assessment studies. A critical review of tourism and sports literature was undertaken to propose an integrated data collection framework and scenario-driven research agenda. The paper contributes to existing knowledge in the field by systemising common methodological challenges and revealing alternative research paths with the aim of ensuring a methodologically reliable data collection process. The rationale for conducting the research is reflected in the fact that methodological issues related to data collection represent a common obstacle to accurate assessment of the economic impact of sporting events. The framework and research agenda could prove to be a valuable guideline for authors interested in researching the subject matter and thus would contribute to the progression of academic knowledge.