Research Methods in Tourism Studies

Discover how to conduct research into the travel and tourism industries.

On this course you’ll explore travel and tourism research methods and techniques.

You’ll learn the difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods, and explore data analysis and collection. You’ll examine the current trends of tourism research, and ultimately write your own thesis or consultancy project.

Overall you’ll come to understand the basic methods of academic research in relation to hospitality, whether you’re a new learner or someone with professional experience of the travel and tourism sectors who wants to analyse their industry further.

This course is designed for anyone interested in understanding the fundamentals of research into the tourism industry — the different kinds of approaches, how to collect data, and how to get published.

You don’t need any specific professional or academic background to take this course. But as it’s centered around tourism and hospitality, a basic understanding of tourism studies is an advantage.

The course is also useful for anyone with experience of working in travel or tourism, looking to study the sectors analytically, or anyone with general business experience wanting to improve their problem-solving skills.

• How to Start a Good Research
• Research Question and Research Objectives
• Title Design
• Literature Retrieval Method and Literature Databases
• Information Collection and Academic Journals in Tourism
• Literature Reading
• Qualitative versus Quantitative Approach
• Philosophical Bases of the Two Approaches
• Differences between the Two Approaches
• Be Aware of Your Own Research Views
• Research Example: Social Tourism
• Research Design I
• Key Procedures in Qualitative Approach
• Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis
• Case Study and Content Analysis
• Using Coding and Themes in Qualitative Research
• Using Conceptual Framework in Qualitative Research
• Research Design II
• Using Questionnaires in Quantitative Research
• Using Experiment in Quantitative Research
• Using Mixed Method
• Emerging Issues in Tourism and Hospitality Research
• Current Research Priorities
• Multi-Level/Multiple Sources of Date Collection
• Mixed Method and Interdisciplinary Research
• Using Delphi Method in Research Design
• Research Ethics
• Journal Publication
• Academic Ethics