27707 Applied Research Methods

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject provides an understanding of basic social science research methods and processes commonly used in research within the specialised industry contexts. It provides a framework for considering the relationships between theory and practice and seeks to imbed the use of research-based knowledge within the professional fields of practice to which it relates. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches to research are covered.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

1. understand the role of research in planning and management processes and in the development of theory
2. identify the fundamental elements of research design
3. demonstrate understanding of the most commonly used research methods
4. use a statistical analysis package, such as SPSS, to perform in-depth analysis of research data.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject provides an understanding of social science research methods and processes commonly used within specialist industry research settings. It provides a framework for considering the relationships between theory and practice and 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 lecture / tutorials. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• The role of research in planning and management
• The research process
• The role of the literature
• Research design
• Research methods and methodology — qualitative research methods; secondary data sources; quantitative research methods — surveys; sampling, confidence intervals; questionnaire design; survey analysis, using a statistical package (SPSS or similar), basic statistics (e.g. chi-square, t-test, anova, correlation); forecasting – qualitative and quantitative methods
• Interpretation and presentation of research outcomes

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Literature Review and problem conceptualisation (Individual)

Assessment item 2: Data Analysis and Interpretation Exam (Individual)

Assessment item 3: Research Project/Exam

Required text(s)

Veal, AJ, 2006, Research Methods for Leisure and Tourism, 3rd edn, Prentice-Hall, Harlow, Essex, UK