Dark events in (post-)conflict social settings: quantitative data-gathering issues and strategies
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The paper emphasises the importance of ethical sensitivity, methodological adaptability, and reflexivity when studying dark events and deviant behaviour within socially complex settings. Focusing on dark events – organised controversial gatherings centered on past death and suffering – this paper addresses a growing yet under-researched area at the intersection of dark tourism, dark leisure, and collective memory studies. The characteristic deviant behaviours of organisers, performers, and/or attendees, combined with tense (post-)conflict social circumstances, complicate data gathering and elevate risks for both participants and researchers. Under such conditions, rigid randomised sampling is often unfeasible; instead, alternative strategies are necessary, requiring responsible and transparent implementation. In addition to field surveys, valuable – albeit often biased – data on deviance and dark events can be found online for (post-)conflict studies. These sources must be examined and interpreted critically, especially with regard to the limitations in knowledge creation processes.
Source: Current Issues in Tourism
Author: Metod Šuligoj
Institution: University of Primorska
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funder: Univerza na Primorskem
OpenAlex ID: W7203825745