Methodology and Selection Process - Research Paper Example

? RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Task Research methodology Introduction This section comprehensively analyzes the methodology that the researcher will adopt in executing the study. Research methodology defines the procedures that are to be undertaken to facilitate the realization of authentic results. As noted by scholars, research methodology is the cornerstone of a study. It requires effective planning and development of sustainable programs that will drive the research process. Research methods include data compilation techniques, analysis, design and development of the findings. Secondary research and selection process Secondary research is the process of gathering pertinent information from the work of various scholars. The data collection technique accompanies additional methods to ensure accuracy in the development of the research findings. The technique gives researchers credible basis and guidelines to improve on. Secondary sources of data include electronic resources, books, journals and appropriate publications. The resources must carry relevant information to realize the research objectives. These are identifiable based on the researcher’s judgment that determines their reliability. In this study, the researcher has identified six journals to facilitate data collection. A systematic selection procedure sample (SSPS) that ensures the use of reliable resources was instrumental in the identification of the journals. Outline of six journal articles The journals are chosen as secondary data gathering techniques based on their relevance. They provide appropriate information after a systematic study that led to the identification of the impact of tourism in fostering peace and growth. The journals enable the realization of valid and reliable results with the capacity to influence decision-making. Paulo (2002) who is a renowned writer explores the benefits of tourism in the society. The author focused on the benefits of tourism with an aim of relaying credible information to diverse stakeholders in the industry. This is with the intention of advancing the practice. He stated that tourism is significant in shaping the economic soundness of individuals and nations. Nations that focus on growth are responsible for adopting noble tourism practices to enhance monetary and social integration. The information also equips policy makers with the information highlighting the benefits of tourism. This enables them to formulate appropriate guidelines to drive operations in the sector. This is critical since the benefits of tourism are achievable through the development of logical polices that are economically viable. Tourism presents fiscal, cultural, ecological, political and communal benefits. The benefits lead to the improvement of economic performance, rise in the living standards of the locals and cultural integration. These elements are fundamental in developing cohesive communities that are economically vibrant. In particular, tourism contributes to the creation of jobs to the citizens; furthermore, it improves income earnings, conservation of resources and restoration of cultural practices. It fosters understanding between individuals and community members through systematic engagement that leads to cohesiveness. The practice also contributes to cultural understanding, tolerance and protection of the national heritage. As noted by Paulo (2002) tourism enables the community members to enjoy the natural resources and facilitates understanding of the historical events that shape individuals future dealings. Therefore, tourism presents immense benefits that nations should adopt. This would facilitate economic growth and social amalgamation. Bull (1999) focuses on the role of tourism in the economic development in the contemporary society. The author stated that tourism influences economic performance in various settings since it contributes to the GDP or the income per-capita. The income generated by the industry contributes significantly in transforming individual’s lifestyle. It also facilitates the development of infrastructural set ups that are crucial in ensuring exemplary performance and social integration. Tourism plays a key role in enhancing fiscal development. It leads to job creation and remains the global largest income contributor that influences operations. Nations with improved economic capacity experience high job openings, sound per-capita income and increase in the GDP. These elements are achievable when vibrant mechanisms and policies are adapted to enhance operations in the tourism industry. Critically, the journal gives credible information that is reliable. This would facilitate the quality outcome of the study. Therefore, it presents relevant information that the researcher needs to obtain realistic results. Othman, (2011) provides insightful information on the impact of tourism in the communities and the reasons why authorities should enhance the practice because it is a performance measure. The author highlighted the environmental impact of tourism by sighting protection, restoration and conservation of natural beauty as major impacts of tourism. He noted that tourism has the capacity to facilitate the adoption of noble environmental practices through preservation of natural resources, for example, forests that purify the air. This leads to the development of serene environmental settings that support healthy lifestyles. The practice enhances cultural integration since it contributes to the understanding of shared beliefs amidst several individuals. It fosters understanding of the cultural practices of various communities, for example, traditional events, historical background and ritual activities. These are instrumental in eradicating unwarranted discrimination. Cultural practices are shared norms that individuals are expected to obey. Clearly, communities operate under diverse cultural practices that require understanding and harmonization to achieve peaceful coexistence. This is critical since communities with inferior understanding and respect for diverse cultural practices may collapse. Therefore, integration of cultural and social practices is paramount in achieving exemplary growth. Economic, political and social impacts are also illustrated in the journal. This is apparent in job creation, improvement in the income standards and the development of political processes that advance tourism. This journal will facilitate the realization of set objectives in this study as set by the researcher. Li (2011) highlights the pertinent factors that contribute to effective tourism. This credible source will propel the realization of the research objective that addresses operations in the sector. Operating policies, attractions, accommodation, transport, infrastructure and supporting facilities are major factors that influence the execution of tourism activities. In particular, policies are the driving forces that streamline operations and the development of new tourism sites. Lack of appropriate policies affect the growth of a nation and cultural integration between community members. Authorities are obligated to design viable policies to advance operations in the sector. This is with the intention of attaining excellent results. Attractions are incentives that encourage tourists to make visits to particular sites while transport facilitates their movement. Accommodation and support facilities, for example, shops, banks, restaurants or hotels are significant since they cater for the tourist wellbeing. Cheuk, Liew-Tsonis, Ing & Razli (2010) indicate that authorities and community members play crucial roles in the enhancement of tourism. They form the major stakeholders whose contribution in terms of policy formulation and protection of tourism sites is important. The journal explores the role of the authorities and the locals in advancing operations in the tourism sector. In particular, the authorities have a role to create new tourism sites, to preserve the existing natural resources and to maintain resort areas. They are also responsible for developing the infrastructural systems with the intention of ensuring effective access to the tourist attraction sites. This is significant since transport network aid the movement of tourism to various destinations. According to the study conducted by the author, inferior infrastructural network present negative impact in the tourism industry. It limits tourist preference to visiting certain sites due to the impassability of the roads. Policy formulation is also a crucial aspect that the authorities have a responsibility to undertake. There must favorable operating policies and guidelines to ensure that the activities are undertaken professionally. Inferior policies limit growth capacity in the sector. Saffu, Samuel, Elijah-Mensah & Ahumatah (2008) focus on the contribution of human capital in the development of tourism in various nations. It is clear that community members should accept the tourism projects. They should be receptive to the projects, preserve the natural resources and conserve the natural beauty of a nation. This allows facilitate the realization of the benefits of tourism. Philosophy Philosophy is the study of fundamental problems especially the issues that are connected with reality, existence and values. It ensures that realistic results are achieved in any study and learning processes. Philosophy in this research entails ethical considerations that explain the code of conduct and rules that enable the researcher to achieve reliable results. It provides researchers with requisite incentives that enable individuals to distinguish between the right and wrong data. It sets proper ethical standards that aid execution of research activities with an aim of providing unbiased results. The virtue will foster honesty, carefulness, openness and shun nondiscriminatory in the process of data gathering and presentation. Research design and approaches The study seeks to adopt a qualitative research design due to its investigative nature. Qualitative research design is an appropriate technique used in studies with a wider scope. This enables in-depth understanding and compilation of information about a phenomenon with ease to propel the realization of authentic findings. Ideally, research design is “a blue print” of the strategy, plan and the appropriate structure to adopt in conducting a study. Research design is a requisite tool that provides relevant mechanisms through which research activities are carried out effectively. It enables identification of the data the researcher should collect, relevant information and the credible means to analyze data. Hanson & Grimmer (2007) noted that reliable research design depends on the questions that are formulated and the researcher’s orientation levels. This explains the reason why the study seeks to adopt a qualitative research design. This has the capacity to realize superior results that can influence the individual’s perception. Qualitative research design is adopted due to its flexibility since it gives the researcher immense freedom in identification of the sample population and data collection techniques. This helps in the effective execution of the interviews that the researcher seeks to use as a data collection technique (Hunt 2011). The technique also aid effective identification of the relevant variables and ensures in-depth investigation of the phenomenon under study. This will enhance data collection that will cover a wide area since the researcher seeks to obtain the views of the locals across the nation. It will ensure that quality results are obtained to aid decision-making. Based on this guideline, acquisition of quantitative information is unnecessary since the approach focuses more on quality results. Approaches Research approaches are the techniques used in conducting a study from the initial stage to its completion. These techniques should be designed scientifically to attain realistic results that are factually relevant. Researchers are obligated to design measurable and realistic procedures to facilitate research activities and ensure that data collection process are not compromised. According to Hanson & Grimmer (2007) methods that are adopted in research, defines the outcome of the study. Inferior procedures may compromise the results acquired while superior techniques foster the acquisition of factual results. The study seeks to adopt advanced research approaches that define the relevant activities that are to be undertaken. The activities are set in a sequential manner where the research topic was developed in the preamble stages. Topic identification is followed by the development of research objectives and questions. It is imperative to note that execution of research activities in a sequential order is paramount when conducting studies that are investigative n nature. This will allow the capture of data and information contained in the diverse processes of the study. The study is an investigative research that is set to cover a period of nine weeks through which all, the necessary processes are to be undertaken. All activities including data collection and analysis will be achievable within the timeline. Data collected is to be analyzed appropriately to ensure accuracy in drawing the findings. Data collection technique and analysis Data gathering technique is the process through which the researcher obtains the relevant information from the respondents. This study seeks to adopt three types of information gathering techniques. These have the capacity to ensure that reliable information is collected. The techniques to be adopted for the study are the use of questionnaires, interviews and use of electronic resources. The researcher is to supply the respondents with closed ended and unstructured questionnaires. The questionnaires are to be designed appropriately and the researcher will develop pertinent questions that are relevant to the topic (Hanson & Grimmer, 2007). This is to enable the respondents to give an appropriate response. The use of questionnaires is significant since it gives clear guidelines on how the questions are to be answered. It also gives the respondents the opportunity to provide their diverse opinion on various issues that the topic seeks to investigate. The researcher will use interviewing procedures to obtain information from the respondents. Selected respondents will be interviewed based on the researcher’s judgment on their appropriateness in providing relevant information. The execution of the processes will be based on ethical standards. This will ensure the achievement of pertinent information. The development of interview questions will occur through systematic procedures while considering the overall objective of the study. Hunt (2011) noted that face-to-face interviews enable researchers to obtain credible and primary information. Such information is considered primary since it is given at the time of questioning. Use of electronic resources is equally a technique that the researcher will use to acquire relevant data that will facilitate the realization of set objectives. The researcher will chose the resources based on their appropriateness and the information present. The information must relate to the topic under study to obtain the findings. The electronic resources are research works of various individuals that are professionally undertaken. The works should hold credible information that is backed by factual data to ensure achievement of reliable results. The researcher will use six journals with in-depth information on tourism and its benefits. The researcher will check the data collected for consistency and relevance. This is a critical step in the data analysis process that is set to give a professional evaluation of the respondents vies. Data analysis will be undertaken using relevant software such, as excel. Justification of the data collection technique Qualitative research technique (QRT) is relevant for this study since it will give rise to credible and superior results. The approach propels superior data gathering and analysis that is significant in achieving valuable findings. It also gives the researchers the freedom to make the appropriate selection of the sample size and procedures. This enables researchers to choose sustainable sample size that can provide pertinent information. The technique is widely used due to its relevance in advancing studies that are investigative in nature. Sampling, population and procedures The study will adopt a probability sampling technique due to its investigative nature. The techniques give all the probable respondents equal chance of participation in the study through a systematic procedure (Stern 2003). This technique will enable the researcher to perform random selection of the respondents to serve with the questionnaires and interview. This is to ensure that quality information is obtained without discrimination. As noted, probability research system is the preferred sampling method. It gives the researcher the freedom to make accurate choices during data collection based on his judgment on the respondent’s capacity to provide credible information. In particular, the researcher will use simple random technique in selecting the respondents from the population under study. Systematic selection procedure sample (SSPS) will be used to select the electronic resources. The approach can identify the variant of a simple random sample (SRS) that allows the selection of a random number. It is imperative to note that probability sampling technique is appropriate in conducting studies with a wider scope where many respondents are to be involved. This is to ensure that many individuals are engaged in the study to enhance the accuracy levels (Stern 2003). The technique is relevant in advancing this study due to the large number of respondents that will participate in the study. The selected sample size is 300 individuals who include the locals and authorities. The population is to drawn across the nation to ensure that adequate data is collected. The population will collect the data with the intention of analyzing it appropriately. Validity & reliability Reliability and validity will focus on the credibility of the findings from the data collected. The data collected should be valid to facilitate the realization of reliable findings. Factual and reliable data will ensure formulation of valuable information that positively influences individuals. Therefore, the researcher has to adopt credible research procedures to attain reliable results that are relevant in streamlining operations in the tourism industry in Singapore. Conclusion The methodology focuses on the approaches used to conduct the process. Six journals to facilitate data collection are chosen based on their relevance. The study will adopt a qualitative research design based on its investigative nature; furthermore, it is an appropriate technique used in studies with a wider scope. Advanced research approaches that define the relevant activities that are to be undertaken will be useful. The activities are set in a sequential manner where the research topic is developed in the preamble stages. This study will adopt three types of information gathering techniques especially questionnaires, interviews and use of electronic resources. The study will adopt a probability because it will compliment its investigative nature. Furthermore, the validity process will focus on enhancing credibility. Reference List Bull, B 1999, Encouraging tourism development through the EU structural funds: A case study of the implementation of EU programmes on bornholm. The International Journal of Tourism Research, 1(3), 149-149. Accessible at http://search.proquest.com/docview/214525718?accountid=45049 Cheuk, S., Liew-Tsonis, J., Ing, G. P., & Razli, I. A 2010, An establishment of the role of private and public sector interests in the context of tourism transport planning and development: The case of malaysia. The International Business & Economics Research Journal, 9(2), 59-67. Accessible at http://search.proquest.com/docview/195152496?accountid=45049 Chang, J., & Kao, J 2008, Probing the cultural characteristics of indigenous museum tourism in canada and taiwan: A perspective on authenticity. Journal of Accounting, Finance & Management Strategy, 4(2), 107-122. 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