27707 Applied Research Methods

Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Postgraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject covers social science research methods: project design; literature review; secondary data; observation; qualitative methods; in-depth interviewing, participant observation; and questionnaire design, sampling and survey analysis (using SPSS computer package). Assessment involves individual assignments and a group project involving three or four students and consisting of a 'live' research project, usually for a client, in an area of the students' interest.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

Understand the role of research in planning and management processes and in the development of theory
Critically evaluate the use of research and analysis in reports and other submissions
Identify the basic elements of research design
Use a statistical analysis software package
Demonstrate basic competencies in the use of a range of the most commonly used research methods.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject provides an understanding of basic social science research methods and processes commonly used within leisure, sport and tourism research. It provides a framework for considering the relationships between theory and practice. Finally, it seeks to imbed the use of research-based knowledge within the professional fields of practice to which it relates.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is conducted as a mixture of lectures and practical exercises in which students will engage in group and individual projects involving data collection, analysis, interpretation and report writing. The projects involve exercises in environments chosen by the students to reflect their own interests. Where appropriate students are encouraged to conduct projects in association with industry-based 'clients'.

Content

Methods and approaches in leisure, sport and tourism research
The role of research in planning and management
Planning and managing a research project
The research process, the research question
The role of the literature
Research Methods and Methodology - qualitative research methods; case studies; participant observation; observational methods; secondary data sources; survey methods - audience/user/visitor surveys, community/market surveys, postal surveys, telephone surveys; sampling - approaches and consequences; confidence intervals; questionnaire design; survey analysis (SPSS or similar)
Interpretation and presentation of research outcomes.

Assessment

Literature Review (Individual)	30%
Students are required to undertake an extensive literature review of their selected topic area with a view to conceptualising their research in theoretical terms. This assignment addresses objectives 1-2.
Data Analysis and Interpretation Exam (Individual)	20%
Students will be tested on their ability to use a statistical package to undertake quantitative analysis of their research findings. This assignment will allow students to demonstrate that they have met objective 4.
Research Project (Individual)	50%
Students will be required to submit a final research report of approximately 5,000 words with appropriate analysis, conclusion and recommendations. This assignment will allow students to demonstrate that they have met objectives 1-5.

Recommended text(s)

Veal, A. J. (1997), Research Methods for Leisure and Tourism, (2nd ed.) Pitman, London.

Indicative references

Coolidge, F.L. (2000), Statistics: A Gentle Introduction, Sage, London.

Creswell, J.W. (1998), Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Crotty, M. (1998), The Foundations of Social Research, Allen and Unwin, Sydney.

Diamond, I. and Jefferies, J. (2001), Beginning Statistics, Sage, London.

Hart, C. (1998), Doing a Literature Review, Sage, London.

Kumar, R. (1999), Research Methodology, Addison Wesley Longman, Melbourne

Sarantakos, S. (1998), Social Research, (2nd ed.), MacMillan, Melbourne.