Business Research for Hoteliers
ASSESSMENT BRIEF
BRH606: Research
Methods for Hoteliers
Assessment Summary
Students must complete all assessments for successful completion of the
subject.
Assessment type
|
Weighting
|
Due Date
|
Learning
|
outcomes
|
|||
Defence of Research Project
|
20%
|
Sessions 5 & 6
|
a, b, c, d, e, f, g
|
Individual
(10-minute presentation)
|
|||
Research Proposal
|
80%
|
Session 10
|
a, b, c, d, e, f, g
|
2,000-word Business Orientated
|
|||
Literature Review
|
|||
1,000-word Research Methodology
|
|||
Individual
(3,000-word Report)
|
The combination of the BRH606 Assessment Tasks,
enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding as to how research
concepts relate to and supports the successful completion of the IAP607
project. Hence, Students will develop an independent research proposal in
BRH606 that will provide the framework for their IAP607 project.
Assessment 1: Defence
of Research Project
The aim of this Assessment is for Students to
demonstrate both their understanding of and ability to formulate, plan and
justify a suitable Research Project. This assessment will facilitate the
development of a research framework for understanding and interpreting the
research issue you are investigating.
Students are to select a Business-Related
Problem, Issue or Area of Investigation as the basis for this Assessment. The
Business-Related Problem/Issue or Area of Interest can be drawn from the
Student’s area of study or current workplace environment.
It is suggested that the basis for this
Assessment be an Applied Research Issue rather than a Basic Research Issue.
That is the issue needs to be currently occurring within a real Company
(and not industry –wide); have a significant impact to the Business; and
one that a “decision” on a course of remedial
action is required
This will be subject to the Lecturer’s Approval –
An informal discussion will commence in Week 2 – finalised in Week 4 of the
Subject Delivery
For this assessment the student will present
their proposed research topic in a ten-minute PPTX presentation.
1.
A robust scenario to act as the RESEARCH CONTEXT
relating to the Investigation, detailing Pertinent historical information about
the Company
The circumstances which have led to the need to
undertake Research (How the issue was discovered)
The impact and its magnitude to the Company’s
Operation (the symptoms of the Issue)
Students
are then to apply the theory presented in Lectures to construct:
2. A scenario outlining the BUSINESS PROBLEM; highlighting
the extent and impact of the problem. This section should also include a broad
description of the GENERIC DECISION/ACTION that the Company
intends to make using the output of this Research Investigation.
3. A comprehensive LIST OF THE INFORMATION that
will be sought (via Research) in order to assist in addressing the Business
Problem (that is, detail the RESEARCH QUESTIONS).
4. Each item on the LIST OF THE INFORMATION should
be written to have focus and be quite specific in nature and be accompanied by A VALIDATION
STATEMENT i.e. an explanation of how this information will assist in
resolving the Business Issue/Problem outlined; ie assist in the decision-making
and
5. A concise set of RESEARCH OBJECTIVES to accompany
the Information Requirements stated above. (Note: these are not Business
Objectives).
Submission Guidelines:
1. Typed and formatted following the Assessment
Structure Style Guide in a PPTX and uploaded to Turnitin by Sunday 28/10/2018
before 23.59pm.
2. A hard copy of the Presentation is also to be
provided on the day the student presents
3. Presentation will take place during Tutorials
over Week 5 and 6 – The Lecture will arbitrarily allocate presentation times
and issue these by the end of Week 4.
4. To be submitted in electronic form as a
PowerPoint file to http://www.turnitin.com
5. Students must refer, in text, to a minimum of 8
academic/theory and professional articles, plus others as required, in order to
show competency in the assessment.
6. All referencing must be in accordance with APA
6th Edition Referencing and Academic Writing Guide on Sharepoint.
7. Torrens University Assignment cover sheet to be
attached with your paper.
8. Complete and attach a plagiarism form.
9. See marking rubric at the end of this document
and remember you do not need to attach this rubric to your submissions.
The aim of this Assessment is for Students to
demonstrate both their understanding of and ability to formulate and execute a
suitable Research Project in response to a Business-Related Problem which has
already been established planned and defended in Assessment 1
For this assignment, students are to produce a
3,000-word Research Proposal that discusses (summarise, synthesise and
critique) initially investigates the issue via the undertaking of a Business
Orientated Literature Review (2,000 words) including a quality evaluation of
the data collected and then design suitable Research Methodology (1,000) to
specifically address the outstanding Information requirements identified.
A Research Proposal can be defined as:
“A plan
that offers recommendations for conducting research …details the who, the what,
the where, the when and the how of research and the information associated with
it”.
SECTION 1: RESEARCH CONTEXT
Outlining the key points of the Study
established and progressed in Assessment 1 (HINT: best to approach this section
as though the reader is unaware of the preceding Report and/or construct an
Executive Summary of Assessment 1.)
SECTION 2: BUSINESS ORIENTATED
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Using the Research Problem and Objectives
established in Assessment 1, Students are to conduct a thorough SECONDARY DATA
SEARCH and produce a Business -orientated Literature Review
The purpose of this Literature Search and Review
is to place the Research Problem in context of what is already known about it
and aid in better understanding the issue at hand. This will help address some
of the Information Requirements but more importantly identify any gaps which
will drive the Primary Research Proposal
The key in this phase is to acknowledge that
this is a Research Assignment and hence importance is not only placed the
output (Information presented) but a clear demonstration that a Scientific
Approach to the collection of the data has been taken. This is reflected in the
depth, breadth and credibility of the Sources used and citations provided. It
is expected that AT LEAST 12 INDEPENDENT AND CREDIBLE SECONDARY SOURCES of
information will be investigated covering both academic and industry-based
sources
Students are present the FULL FINDINGS OF THIS
INVESTIGATION in context with the Research Problem and the List of Information
outlined in Assessment, ensuring that the information adheres to the hallmarks
of Objectivity and Precision. Correct and complete citations for all ideas,
information and theory should be provided.
Students also should avoid copying large amounts
of data, rather paraphrase and model the concepts to answer the particular
Research Questions. The Business-orientated Literature Review should display
the following characteristics:
FOCUSED - The Business Issue should be narrow.
Only present ideas and only report on information that is closely related to
the Business Issue and the developed List of information.
CONCISE - Ideas should be presented
economically. Don’t take any more “space” than is needed to present the
ideas/information.
LOGICAL - The flow within and among topics
investigated should be a smooth, logical progression from one idea to the next
DEVELOPED - Don’t leave the story half told –
avoid summary statements/ information – explore both the qualitative and
qualitative aspects.
INTEGRATED – Information presented is provided
in such a way that will contribute to the future decision making. Not large “slabs”
of copied information. Present what commonality does the information share? How
is some information different than others? The paper should present a balanced
view on each issue.
CURRENT – A Literature Review should focus on
(where possible) work being done on the cutting edge of the issue.
2.2 Students are also to conduct a QUALITY
ASSESSMENT on the findings of the Literature Review. For each of the Research
Questions dealt with in the Literature Review assess:
a. THE QUALITY OF THE GATHERED INFORMATION presented
(that is, “How well did the information gathered answer the intent of the
Research Question?”); this is to be considered using the concepts of Biasness,
Timeliness and Scope of the information gathered and presented and the sources
used
b. THE REMAINING GAPS IN THE KNOWLEDGE required
resolving the Business Problem (that is, “What Information we still need to
get?”)
SECTION 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
FOR A PRIMARY RESEARCH PROJECT
3.1 The (revised) RESEARCH OBJECTIVE, which are
directly linked to the “Information Gaps” identified in the previous section.
3.2 The
RESEARCH APPROACH TO APPLIED - A description of the overall methodology to be
used that is, whether the Proposed Study should be Exploratory, Descriptive or
Causal. This section should also provide reasons as to why the recommended
Approach suits the problem/information requirements at this stage in the
project and will how using the recommended Approach will yield superior
information/results.
3.3 DETAILS OF THE RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY TO BE APPLIED;
3.4 THE SPECIFIC RESEARCH TECHNIQUE RECOMMENDED: For
example, Focus Groups, Interviews, Surveys, Experiments or Observation.
Including a justification as to why this technique would be the most
appropriate. This may include support from additional information on the
Population behaviour and/or be aligned with the overall Research Approach to be
adopted
3.5 THE POPULATION(S) that will be the focus of
interest is to be operationally defined including a discussion on the overall
population size.
3.6 THE SAMPLING DESIGN TO BE USED: including where
(the Sampling Frame) and how the Sample will be obtained (Sampling Technique),
estimates of sample size etc. Including a justification as to why this
technique would be appropriate and aligned with the overall Research Approach
to be adopted.
3.7 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: Details on how (and why)
the Research Design will be administered.
3.8 SUGGESTED QUESTIONS/TOPICS TO BE INVESTIGATED -
For example if the mechanism recommended is a Survey, then sample questions to
be asked should be provided (ideally in a questionnaire format), or if the
recommended technique is focus groups, then an abridged Discussion Guide. These
should also be accompanied by an explanation on how the anticipated responses
will meet the Research Objectives developed and assist in the Decision Making
required.
3.9 INCLUDE A PROJECT SCHEDULE. List each of the
steps that will be undertaken, and the time allocated for each in the execution
of the research.
Given the focus of this course on Research
Methods a substantial amount of marks are attributed to evaluation of the
methods used in the articles or texts you are reviewing. This will be discussed
in tutorial and is reflected in the marking rubric below.
You must demonstrate familiarity with a body of
knowledge, show that you understand prior research and the methods used, and
synthesise the literature reviewed concisely, coherently and clearly.
Additionally, you must offer critique and/or insight to the materials you have
reviewed. This assignment provides an opportunity for you to explore and focus
on a topic relevant to your service industry and which can be viable for future
research.
Session Schedule /
Readings
WEEK
|
TOPIC
|
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
|
RESOURCES AND READINGS
|
||
TOPIC 1:
|
1.
|
Define Business Research
|
Sekaran, U., Bougie, R. (2013)
|
||
Introduction to
|
2.
|
Explain the Managerial Role of Business Research
|
Research Methods for Business.
|
||
2
|
Business Research
|
3.
|
Understand the two main types of Research -
|
United Kingdom, John Wiley and
|
|
Applied and Basic Research
|
Sons Ltd
|
||||
4.
|
Understand the Principles of Scientific Research
and
|
Chapter 1 & 2
|
|||
identify the characteristics of Scientific Research
|
|||||
5.
|
List and explain the Research Process in summary.
|
||||
6.
|
Assess when Business Research is deemed relevant
|
||||
and when it is not.
|
|||||
7.
|
Apply some practical real-world examples to
|
||||
some of these Concepts and Theories
|
|||||
TOPIC 2:
|
1.
|
Understand why it is important to define a
|
Sekaran, U., Bougie, R. (2013)
|
||
Problem
|
Management Problem prior to conducting Research.
|
Research Methods for Business.
|
|||
3
|
Identification and
|
2.
|
Identify and Understand the 6 Critical Steps in
|
United Kingdom, John Wiley and
|
|
Statement of
|
|||||
defining a Management Problem.
|
Sons Ltd
|
||||
Research Purpose
|
|||||
3.
|
|||||
Determine a research problem and problem
|
|||||
statement
|
Chapter 3
|
||||
4.
|
Construct Research Objectives relevant for the
|
||||
Research Problem.
|
|||||
TOPIC 3:
|
1.
|
Understand the Functions of the Business –
|
Sekaran, U., Bougie, R. (2013)
|
||
The Business-
|
Orientated Literature Review in Research
|
Research Methods for Business.
|
|||
4
|
Orientated Literature
|
2.
|
How to carry out a Literature Search
|
United Kingdom, John Wiley and
|
|
3.
|
How to review the selected Literature
|
Sons Ltd
|
|||
4.
|
How to develop the Theoretical and Conceptual
|
||||
Frameworks
|
Chapter 4
|
||||
5.
|
How to write and present a Business – Orientated
|
||||
Literature Review
|
|||||
TOPIC 4:
|
1.
|
Define the underlying principles that form a
|
Sekaran, U., Bougie, R. (2013)
|
||
Elements of
|
Research Theoretical Framework.
|
Research Methods for Business.
|
|||
5
|
Research Design
|
2.
|
Define the purpose of a Research Design
|
United Kingdom, John Wiley and
|
|
[1]
|
|||||
Sons Ltd
|
|||||
3.
|
Analyse and assess the Types of Research Designs
|
||||
via identifying the differences between them and
|
Chapters 5 and 6
|
||||
understanding for what Purpose they serve.
|
|||||
4.
|
Identify the key differences between Qualitative
|
||||
and Quantitative Research Designs.
|
|||||
5.
|
Categorise Research Techniques according to the
|
||||
various Research Designs
|
|||||
TOPIC 5:
|
1.
|
Identify the key differences between Qualitative
and
|
Sekaran, U., Bougie, R. (2013)
|
||
Elements of Research
|
Quantitative Research Designs.
|
Research Methods for Business.
|
|||
6
|
Design [2]
|
2.
|
Categorise Research Techniques according to the
|
United Kingdom, John Wiley and
|
|
Sons Ltd
|
|||||
various Research Designs
|
|||||
Chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10
|
|||||
TOPIC 6:
|
1.
|
Explain the operationalisation of variables
|
Sekaran, U., Bougie, R. (2013)
|
||
Measurement of
|
2.
|
Understand how Scaling Techniques are applied,
|
Research Methods for Business.
|
||
7
|
Variables and Data
|
and how some of the Rating Scales are treated.
|
United Kingdom, John Wiley and
|
||
Collection Tools
|
Sons Ltd
|
||||
3.
|
Explain the importance of establishing the
|
||||
Goodness of Measures.
|
Chapters 11 and 12
|
||||
4.
|
Explain the Different Types of Validity and
|
||||
Reliability
|
|||||
5.
|
Evaluation of data collection methods
|
||||
WEEK
|
TOPIC
|
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
|
RESOURCES AND READINGS
|
|
TOPIC 7:
|
1.
|
Determine the parameters of
sampling design
|
Sekaran, U., Bougie, R. (2013)
|
|
Sampling Designs
|
2.
|
Evaluate the sampling process
|
Research Methods for Business.
|
|
8
|
3.
|
Analyse the process to
secure an appropriate
|
United Kingdom, John Wiley and
|
|
sample.
|
||||
Sons Ltd
|
||||
4.
|
Demonstrate understanding of issues of
|
|||
Precision and Confidence, in particular
|
Chapter 13
|
|||
determining Sample Sizes and Estimation.
|
||||
TOPIC 7:
|
1.
|
Identify and evaluate the strengths and
|
Sekaran, U., Bougie, R. (2013)
|
|
Qualitative Data
|
limitations of qualitative data
|
Research Methods for Business.
|
||
9
|
Analysis
|
2.
|
To analyse Qualitative Data using a
|
United Kingdom, John Wiley and
|
structured approach.
|
Sons Ltd
|
|||
3.
|
To stress the importance of reliability and
|
Chapter 16
|
||
validity in Qualitative Data Analysis.
|
||||
TOPIC 9:
|
1.
|
Identify and evaluate the strengths and
|
Sekaran, U., Bougie, R. (2013)
|
|
Quantitative
|
limitations of quantitative data
|
Research Methods for Business.
|
||
10
|
Data Analysis
|
2.
|
To understand how to Prepare Data for
|
United Kingdom, John Wiley and
|
Analysis – including Coding, Editing,
|
Sons Ltd
|
|||
Addressing Missing Responses and then
|
||||
entered for Analysis.
|
Chapter 14 and 15
|
|||
3.
|
Investigate and be able identify and conduct
|
|||
Descriptive Data Analytics for Quantitative
|
||||
Data
|
||||
4.
|
Investigate and be able identify and conduct
|
|||
Basic Inferential Data Analytics for Quantitative
|
||||
Data
|
||||
5.
|
To be able to interpret the results they obtain
|
|||
from Quantitative Data Analyses.
|
||||
6.
|
To make sense of other Measures by
|
|||
interpreting Concepts of Hypothesis Testing,
|
||||
Correlation Coefficients and Regression
|
||||
Analysis.
|
||||
Comments
Post a Comment