Introduction
This unit a Pearson-set unit. Students will choose their own project based on a theme provided by Pearson (this will change annually). The project must be related to their specialist pathway of study (unless the student is studying the general pathway). This will enable students to explore and examine a relevant and current topical aspect of travel and tourism in the context of the travel and tourism environment and their chosen specialist pathway.
The aim of this unit is to offer students the opportunity to engage in sustained research in a specific field of study. The unit enables students to demonstrate the capacity and ability to identify a research theme, develop research aims, objectives and outcomes, and present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats. The unit also encourages students to reflect on their engagement in the research process, during which recommendations for future, personal development are key learning points.
On successful completion of this unit, students will have the confidence to engage in problem-solving and research activities which are part of the function of a manager. Students will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to enable them to investigate workplace issues and problems, determine appropriate solutions and present evidence to various stakeholders in an acceptable and understandable format.
*Please refer to the accompanying Pearson-set Assignment Guide and the Theme Release document for further support and guidance on the delivery of the Pearson-set unit.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit a student will be able to:
- Examine appropriate research methodologies and approaches as part of the research process
- Conduct and analyse research relevant to a service industry research project
- Communicate the outcomes of a service industry research project to identified stakeholders
- Reflect on the application of research methodologies and concepts.
Essential Content
LO1 Examine appropriate research methodologies and approaches as part of the research process
Developing a research proposition:
The importance of developing methodical and valid propositions as the foundation for a research project
Rationale – the purpose and significance for research question or hypothesis
The value of the philosophical position of the researcher and the chosen methods
Use of Saunders’s research onion as a guide to establishing a methodological approach
Literature review:
Conceptualisation of the research problem or hypothesis
The importance of positioning a research project in context of existing knowledge
Significance and means of providing benchmarks by which data can be judged
Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research:
Key theoretical frameworks for research
Advantages and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research approaches and methods
LO2 Conduct and analyse research relevant to a service industry research project
Research as a process:
Research has distinct phases which support a coherent and logical argument This includes using secondary research to inform a primary, empirical study
Selecting a sample:
The importance of gathering data and information (qualitative or quantitative) to support research analysis
Selecting sample types and sizes that are relevant to the research
Considering sampling approaches and techniques including probability and non-probability sampling
Ethics, reliability and validity:
Ethical research
How is this achieved and reported?
Reliable research (similar results would be achieved from a similar
sample) and valid (the research measures what it aimed to measure)
Analysing data:
Using data collection tools e.g. interviews and questionnaires.
Using analytical techniques e.g. trend analysis, coding or typologies.
LO3 Communicate the outcomes of a service industry research project to identified stakeholders
Stakeholders:
Who are they?
Why would they be interested in the research outcomes? What communication method do they expect?
Communicating research outcomes:
Different methods of communicating outcomes e.g. written word, spoken word, and the medium e.g. report, online, presentation
Convincing arguments:
No matter what the method/medium, all research should be convincing and presented logically where the assumption is that the audience has little or no knowledge of the research process
The importance of developing evaluative conclusions
LO4 Reflect on the application of research methodologies and concepts
Reflection for learning and practice:
Difference between reflecting on performance and evaluating a research project. The former considers the research process; the latter considers the quality of the research argument and use of evidence
Reflection on the merits, limitations and potential pitfalls of the chosen methods
The cycle of reflection:
To include reflection in action and reflection on action
Considering how to use reflection to inform future behaviour and future considerations
Reflective writing:
Avoiding generalisation and focusing on personal development and the
research journey in a critical and objective way
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
| Pass | Merit | Distinction |
| LO1 Examine appropriate research methodologies and approaches as part of the research process | ||
| P1 Produce a research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis, supported by a literature review P2 Examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research | M1 Evaluate different research approaches and methodology, and make justifications for the choice of methods selected, based on philosophical/theoretical frameworks | LO1 LO2 D1 Critically evaluate research methodologies and processes in application to a travel and tourism research project, to justify chosen research methods and analysis |
| LO2 Conduct and analyse research relevant to a service industry research project | ||
| P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for a travel and tourism research project that considers costs, access and ethical issues | M2 Discuss merits, limitations and pitfalls of approaches to data collection and analysis | |
| P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research findings and data | ||
| LO3 Communicate the outcomes of a service industry | ||
| research project to identified stakeholders | ||
| P5 Communicate research | M3 Coherently and | D2 Communicate |
| outcomes in an appropriate | logically communicate | critical analysis of the |
| manner for the intended | outcomes to the intended | outcomes and make |
| audience | audience, demonstrating | valid, justified |
| how outcomes meet set | recommendations | |
| research objectives | ||
| LO4 Reflect on the application of research methodologies and concepts | ||
| P6 Reflect on the effectiveness of research methods applied for meeting objectives of the travel and tourism research project P7 Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the outcomes | M4 Provide critical reflection and insight that results in recommended actions for improvements and future research considerations | D3 Demonstrate reflection and engagement in the resource process, leading to recommended actions for future improvement |
Recommended Resources
Textbooks
COSTLEY, C., ELLIOT, G. and GIBBS, P. (2010) Doing Work Based Research: Approaches to Enquiry for Insider-researchers. London: Sage.
FLICK, U. (2011) Introducing Research Methodology: A Beginner’s Guide to Doing a Research Project. London: Sage.
GRAY, D. (2009) Doing Research in the Real World. 2nd ed. London: Sage.
SAUNDERS, M., LEWIS, P. and THORNHILL, A. (2012) Research Methods for Business Students. 6th ed. Harlow: Pearson.
Links
This unit links to the following related units:
Unit 1: The Contemporary Travel and Tourism Industry
Unit 3: Professional Identity and Practice
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