Applied Research

Methods

Year 4: Semester 5/2015

Research Methods is a course that presents an overview of the various

primary and secondary research methodologies used in the business and
academic world, and the application of data collection techniques to aid those
strategies.

Course
Objective

Lecturer

Overall
Learning
Outcomes

Class Format
Class Times

Course
Material

Core Text

Supplementary
Text

This course will assist students in developing an awareness and improvement

of personal skills in the use of available sources of information. This course
builds upon previous quantitative courses by extending the range of analytical
skills required for research, data management and analysis whereby
students will be able to initiate and produce a small scale piece of
research.
Name

Tel
Office Ext

E-mail

Dr. Finian
ODriscoll

061-712592
2592

finian.odriscoll@nuigalway.ie

Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

1. Appreciate the role that research and research skills have in the
knowledge economy
2. Understand the fundamental process in producing a piece of research
3. Identify the main elements that comprise the research process
4. Be knowledgeable of the various research philosophies one can utilise in
determining their research inclination
5. Familiarise and employ the principle research approaches to data collection
(Surveys, Interviews, Focus Groups). Justification for choice. Online surveys.
6. Appreciate the importance of good ethical research standards
7. Apply classroom material in an applied manner in terms of a finished piece
of research.
8. Personal and Professional development
12x2 hr classes/lectures. In-class discussion. PowerPoint Presentations.
Individual research. Photocopied material when required.
Monday: 2pm to 4pm in Fort

All class/lecture material is available on Blackboard

Module Code is 1516-SC4100: Research Methods

Veal, A.J. (2011) Research Methods for Leisure & Tourism: A Practical
Guide, Prentice Hall Publishing, 4th ed.
(Older editions will suffice)
Note: Students are recommended to have their own copy
Sanders, M. Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A (2008) Research Methods for Business
Students, Pearson Education Publishers, 3rd ed
Type of
Assessment

Assessment

100%:

Learning
Outcome to be
Assessed*:

Week
Distributed:

All

1 or 2

End of Year
Exam
Research Report

95

Attendance

Week 1- 2

Readings & Materials

Topic: Introduction to Research: What, Why and

Who?
-

Purpose of conducting research

Overview of the research process
Structure of a research document
(Thesis, Journal Article etc..)
Structure of the research methods
module vis a vis Small Scale Research
Project

Week 2

Core Text: Chapters 1 and 2

Journal Article: Researching People and
Organisations
PPT Presentation
Research Process Diagram
Thinking about a research topic.

Readings & Materials

Topic: The Research Plan & Proposal

Generating Ideas
Planning a research project
Your research Proposal (Structure &
Content)
Which Research Method?

Week 3-4

Core Text: Chapter 3 & 5

Handout: Elements of
Proposal
PPT Presentation

Research

Putting your research proposal together.

Readings & Materials

Topic: Research Approaches and Paradigms

-

Overview of main research philosophies

and knowledge creation Positivist,
Social Construction and Pragmatism
Qualitative & Quantitative Approaches
Inductive & Deductive Approaches
Scientific Method
Data Sources: Primary & Secondary Data
Planning your research project
(introduction)
Generating Ideas/Topics

Week 5

Core Text: Chapters 2 & 3

Article: Research Philosophy: Toward
and Understanding.
PPT Presentation

Readings & Materials

Topic: The Literature Review

-

Sources of Relevant Literature

On-line Data bases
Referencing Guidelines

Core Text: Chapter 6

Article: The Literature Review
PPT Presentation

Week 6-7

Readings & Materials

Topic: Data Collection Approaches & Methods 1

(Qualitative)
-

The Qualitative research Process

Personal/Semi-structured Interviews
The Focus Group Method
Steps in Qualitative Analysis
Coding and Interpretation

Core Text: Chapter 9 & 15

PPT Presentations

Week 8-9

Readings & Materials

Topic: Data Collection Approaches & Methods 2

(Quantitative)
Core Text: Chapter 10 & 16
-

Quantitative Methods: The Questionnaire

Characteristics of a good questionnaire
Designing the questionnaire
Question/Item Types
Likert Scale items
Open ended questions

Using Google Documents to design

an on-line survey (optional)

Practical Demonstration of Google

Documents to On-line Surveys

Week 8 to 13

Readings & Materials

Topic: In-class discussion regarding written

report
-

Open discussion regarding issues about

the research report
Research ethics and issues
Communicating the written report
Structure & Content
Presenting Qualitative Results
Presenting Quantitative Results
Final write-up considerations
Formatting issues

On-going discussion regarding the final

written piece of research

Assignment Schedule:

Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Assignment
Details and Purpose of Research Methods
Assignment

Report = 95% [Due Date: End of Term ]

Assignment Submissions/Resubmissions:
Assignment/Report submission date will not be amended. Deadlines re:
late submissions will be discussed in class.

Research Support Resources

The structure of a Research Report
https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/2_assessmenttasks/assess_pdf/PG
%20Minor%20thesis%20Structure.pdf
http://olinuris.library.cornell.edu/ref/research/skill1.htm
http://www.rdinfo.org.uk/flowchart/flowchart.html
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/researchproject/weblinks.asp#chap2

Research Methods Assignment: The Research Project(95%)

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to allow the students to apply classroom
material and the concepts and elements of the research process in the form of a
coherent written piece of research inclusive of all the relevant sections/chapters.
Assignment Structure:
1. This is an individual-based assignment.
2. A relevant topic of interest related to the Tourism and Hospitality Industry is
selected very early on in the semester (by class 1 or 2 at the latest). Be sure
that access to relevant material/literature is available before final topic
selection. Consult the library and on-line databases.
3.

A short, informative and structured Research Project is submitted in class

on the final week of Semester 6
4. The topic will be researched on an on-going basis with class based
knowledge and discussion in support.
5. The research approach along with a relevant data collection technique to be
clarified and justified. Real-world data collection is emphasised. Planning
this is very important.
6. Proper presentation of data/results/analyses must be included along with
research conclusions.
7. All aspects of class material and research elements to be incorporated in the
Final Written Document.
8. The final written research report = 95% of overall course work.
9. Maximum word count (excluding reference section) should be no more than
4,000 words (excluding references).

10. The Harvard Method of referencing is emphasised.

Layout of Final Research Report

Title Page with name(s) of author(s)

Declaration of Own/Group Work Page

Abstract (50 - 100 words)

Acknowledgements (optional)

Table of contents

List of Tables and Exhibits (if necessary)

1.0 Introduction (400 words)

2.0 Literature Review (1,000 words)

3.0 Research Methodology (500 words)

4.0 Results Discussion (600 words)

5.0 Conclusions & Recommendations (200 words)

List of References Alphabetical using the Harvard Method of referencing

Appendices. Tables, charts, diagrams, photographs, copy of questionnaire, transcript

of personal interview(s), focus group, etc..

Formatting:
Text Style is Times New Roman, Size 12 Font, 1.5cm Line Spacing, Justified Text, Pagination
is Centred

Research Project Marking Criteria (95%)

Name:
Project Title:

Assessed Area

Comments

Max
Marks

General Presentation: Sections & Structure,

Spelling, Grammar, Clarity of expression, General
layout, Page numbering etc..

10

Chap.1- Introduction:
Research objectives/question stated & explained,
purpose of research, description of project sections

10

Chap. 2- Literature Review:

Relevant, detailed, clear, supported by references,
logical approach

25

Chap 3- Methodology:
Specified, Defined and reasons for use, describe
procedure, limitations

15

Actual
Marks

Chap 4- Data Analysis: Detailed, Appropriate

presentation, Observations made, discussion,
displays understanding of results, tables/charts
clearly presented

15

Chap 5-Conclusions & Recommendations

Key findings, conclusions to objectives research
question, limitations identified
Further research noted

15

Appendices & References Sections

10
Total Mark
%

100 =
95 =