Research Methodologies in Tourism

Recommended Prerequisites

Theoretical knowledge about the research process, data analysis in Social Sciences. Knowledge of the English language equivalent to level B1 in written comprehension skills, to read recommended and/or relevant bibliography in this curricular unit.

Teaching Methods

This course unit comprises a series of specialised sessions in line with the subject matter of each block. The sessions will be theoretical and / or mixed (theoretical and practical).

The overall model of the sessions is based on the teacher's exposition of the different subjects, followed by a debate to encourage the development of argumentative skills, as well as critical and reflective thinking. At the same time, some sessions are student-centered, using active and heuristic methodologies directed to solving problems inherent to the research work.

Learning Outcomes

Goals of the course unit:

G1. Recognize the main research themes in Tourism in the present days;

G2. Understand the foundations of scientific research in Tourism and its relationship with empirical information;

G3. Understand the issues, notions and methodologies associated with quantitative and qualitative research in Tourism.

Skills to develop:

C1. Operationalization of problems and hypotheses of scientific research in Tourism;

C2. Application of various qualitative and quantitative research techniques in order to obtain more efficient solutions/models/results and concrete answers for research questions in Tourism;

C.3 Structuring a research process, from the initial problematization, to the definition of empirical work, data processing and correct interpretation of its results.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Research methods in Tourism

1.1 Research process in Tourism

1.2 Research design: choice of subject; the starting point; analysis of the problem; definition of an analysis model: key concepts and analytical dimensions; formulation of hypotheses

1.3 Research Ethics in Tourism

2. Observation, measurement, and data collection in Tourism

2.1 Primary / secondary data sources

2.2 Population: definition and sampling methods

2.3 Development of survey instruments (Questionnaires and Interviews)

2.4 Information processing: statistical, graphical, and cartographic summaries

3. Quantitative / qualitative data analysis

3.1 Quantitative techniques: structuring and analysis of databases

3.2 Statistical tests

3.3 Univariate and multivariate analysis

3.4 Qualitative techniques of information processing: Content Analysis

4. Dissemination and impact of scientific research.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 20.0%
Research work: 40.0%
Project: 40.0%

Bibliography

Egger, R. (2022). Applied Data Science in Tourism. Springer.

Fontanella, B., Gonçalves, S. P., Gonçalves, J. P., & Marques, C. G. (2021). Manual de Investigação Qualitativa. Pactor.

Ivanova, M., Buda, D. M., & Burrai, E. (Eds.). (2022). Qualitative Methodologies in Tourism Studies: Disrupting and Co-creating Critical Research. Taylor & Francis.

Jackson, K., Bazeley, P., & Bazeley, P. (2019). Qualitative data analysis with NVivo. Sage.

Llaudet, E., & Imai, K. (2022). Data analysis for social science: a friendly and practical introduction. Princeton University Press.

Pestana, M. H., & Gageiro, J. N. (2020). Análise de dados para ciências sociais (6ª ed.). Edições Sílabo.

Semley, N., Horner, S., & Brunt, P. (2017). Research methods in tourism, hospitality and events management. Sage.

Sigala, M., Rahimi, R., & Thelwall, M. (Eds.). (2019). Big data and innovation in tourism, travel, and hospitality. Springer.

Veal, A (2017). Research methods for leisure and tourism. Pearson.