Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE TTC5204

 
TITLE Research Methods 1

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Tourism Management

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit will cover in detail the theoretical contexts for research including qualitative and quantitative research techniques used particularly in tourism, hospitality, event management, cultural management and leisure management research. It will cover the principles of research design, the generation of ideas for research and mapping, the nature of data. The Unit will also cover inductive and deductive research, different qualitative and quantitative methodologies using examples from a range of tourism, hospitality, event management and cultural management sectors. This will for example include anthropological study, geographical analysis, economic impact studies, Delphi studies, visitor and site surveys, limits of acceptable change, grounded theory, case studies, cost benefit analysis, feasibility studies, image analysis and content analysis. In addition data collection and analysis using statistical and qualitative analysis, such as SPSS, ATLAS, NVIVO, will be also covered.

Study-Unit Aims:

The study-unit aims to familiarise and equip the student with the theoretical underpining, knoweldge and skills required for undertaking independent academic research. It will also aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the diverse nature of the research tools available to conduct research and an evaluation of these. This will be specifically related to research focused on tourism, hospitality, culture, heritage , events and leisure.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Define and understand key theoretical research perspectives and contexts
- Map research problems
- Identify ways to solve research problems
- List and know the various methodologies available for research particularly relating to in tourism, hospitality, event management, culture, heritage and leisure.
- Select the appropriate methodology for a specific research problem for example within a chosen area of research including tourism, hospitality, event management, culture, heritage and leisure studies.
- Design research tools and utilise research techniques
- Analyse data using specific software programmes
- Present data and research in the appropriate manner and in the proper academic format
- Evaluate and analyse alternative research methodology strategies.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Apply theory to problems in the sector
- Choose and assess the right research approach for a research problem
- Gain analytical skills that will help the student to assess the manner and the extent of how external factors influence or effect a research approach
- use, manipulate and interpret data by using data analysis tools
- Differentiate, plan and administer different research techniques using a variety of options such a social media, telephone, face-to-face, online, observation, content or diary methods;
- Explore and plan study designs like case studies, comparative studies, retrospective or longitudinal studies;
- Understand and apply research ethics.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Ateljevic, I, Pritchard, A and Morgan, N (2007) The Critical turn in Tourism Studies: Innovative Research Methodologies (Advances in Tourism Research). New York: Elsevier
- Veal A, (1997) 2nd ed.) Research Methods for Leisure and Tourism: A Practical Guide. Financial Times, Pitman Publishing, London.
Cooper, D.R. & Schindler, P.S. (2008) Business Research Methods
- Buchanan, D.A. and Bryman, A. (2011). The SAGE handbook of organizational research methods. SAGE Publications Limited, London
- Flick, U. (2014). An introduction to qualitative research. 5th Edn. SAGE Publications Limited, London.
- Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students (Fifth Edn). Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
-Dwyer, L., In Gill, A., & In Seetaram, N. (2012). Handbook of research methods in tourism: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Edward Elagar, Cheltenham.
- Brunt ,P.Horner , S. Semley, N. (2017) Research Methods in Tourism, Hospitality & Events Management. Sage. London.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Co-requisite Study-unit: TTC5205

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Online Learning & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Online Moderated Discussions and Postings SEM1 Yes 20%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit