-1THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Department of Casino, Hospitality, and Tourism Management TM 444 Tourism Research Methods Instructor: Babu George, MTA, PhD, Assistant Professor, CHTM, CoB, USM. Credit Hours: 3 Course Objectives: To introduce the learner to the concepts of tourism research To equip the learner with the techniques needed to do tourism research To give the learner exposure to some of the commonly used data analysis software packages To prepare the learner to carry out micro-research projects, both pure and applied To train the learner how to communicate research findings To make the learner capable of critically examining research claims Course Outline: This course delivers detailed knowledge and understanding of a comprehensive range of methodological issues and analytical techniques in tourism studies. At the successful completion of this course, the students knowledge, skills, and understanding of the important stages in the research process such as the selection of appropriate data types and methods, data acquisition, data analysis, and data presentation will be significantly improved. The major topical areas to be covered as part of this course are given below: Section 1. A general overview of tourism research Section 2. Designing a tourism research project Section 3. The nature of tourism data Section 4. Data acquisition techniques used by tourism researchers

-2Section 5. Sampling design Section 6. Data preparation Section 7. Conceptual introduction to qualitative research (case study, focus group, ethnography, projective techniques, depth interview, grounded theory, hermeneutics, etc) Section 8. Use of quantitative data analysis techniques (descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, chi-square test, t-tests, and analysis of variance) Section 9. Research reporting Please Note: The syllabus is tentative and is subject to minor revisions while the course is on. Of course, the learner views will have a dominant influence over any such revision. Method: The course will run as a blend of lectures, group discussions, case-studies, written assignments, micro-projects, and experiential learning methods. Students will be accountable for reading the assigned material prior to class and coming to class prepared to discuss the implications of the assigned readings. Please make sure to check your emails on an everyday basis. The instructor will provide an overall framework for the course by providing a series of lectures dealing with major principles, theoretical positions, and sophisticated techniques. Formative exercises will be embedded within these sessions. Blackboard will be used to supplement in-class sessions and students are required to login to Blackboard at least once a week to check for assignments, reading materials, etc. Specific instructions will be given from time to time. Suggested Textbooks: Burns, P., Ritchie, B.W., and Palmer, C. (2005) Tourism Research Methods: Integrating Theory with Practice. CABI. ISBN: 0851999964 Finn, M., Elliott-White, M., and Walton, M. (2000). Tourism and Leisure Research Methods. Pearson. ISBN: 9780582368712 Additional readings may be assigned from the tourism related journals being subscribed by the University. Evaluation:

-3Overall class participation: 20%; Mid-term examination: 20%; Term paper: 20%; Data analysis exercise: 20%; and End-term examination: 20%. (59% and Below=F; 60-69%=D; 70-79%=C; 80-89%=B; 90% and Above=A). The final grading will be on a scale from A to F such that an average student gets C grade; B and A grades toward the upper extreme; and, D and F grades toward the lower extreme. As part of the term paper, each student has to do a detailed review of literature on any one research method used by tourism researchers. The paper has to be submitted in type-written form as a scientific paper, following APA style. Thoroughness of literature review, originality of the ideas presented, potential impact upon theory and practice, and quality of presentation will be taken in to account in grading the papers. Be ready to submit the term paper by 31 March 2011! Overall class participation will be judged based on the degree of involvement of the student in the classroom activities exhibited by inquisitiveness, contribution to discussions, attendance during the sessions, promptness in responding to assignments, and innovations brought in, if any. While mere physical presence in the classroom does not guarantee a high grade, less than 50% of attendance during the face to face sessions will guarantee an F for the entire course (not for the class participation component alone!). Attendance will be taken once during every face to face session at a time convenient to the instructor: the instructor retains the right NOT to allow a student to sign the attendance sheet if the student was absent for a considerable time during that session. As part of the data analysis exercise, each student will be asked to analyze a given dataset for finding out patterns and relations. The ability of the student in analyzing data and in making inferences will be the basis of grading. Be ready to submit the data analysis exercise by 30 April 2011! Mid and end term examinations will be multiple choice quizzes. Grades will be assigned based on the number of correct answers given by each student. Be ready to write the midterm examination by 15 March 2011 and end term examination by 1 May 2011! Extra-Credit Opportunities: Extra credit opportunities may be announced throughout the semester. Some of these opportunities include credits for attending guest lectures, participating in community events, contributing to the press, etc. Note that extra credits will be considered only if a student has a final grade that borders two letter grades (say, C and B) in which case the higher grade will be granted based on the worth of the extra credit as determined by the instructor. Students may also bring to the notice of

-4the instructor any extra-curricular activities they may have done and request extra credits. Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty includes, but not limited to, cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism. Academic dishonesty may lead to an F for the course component related to dishonesty or for entire course, in accordance with the severity of dishonesty as determined by the instructor. Special Requirements: Access to a computer with administrative rights Frequent access to the internet

Instructor Contacts: I will be available at JGH 311-B during the contact hours displayed in front of my office. You are welcome to fix an appointment over email if you want to meet me any other time. Wherever possible, I will try to help resolve any issue that you might have solely by means of e-mail communication, minimizing the need for you to wait outside my office. In order to keep proper records, all email communications must be using the blackboard email system. Current Office Hours: Tuesdays: 11:20 am - 2:20 pm Thursdays: 3:20 pm 6:20 pm The ADA Statement If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students can contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies. Address: The University of Southern Mississippi, Office for Disability Accommodations, 118 College Dr. #8586, Hattiesburg, MS 3940-0001; Voice Telephone: (601)266-5024 or (228)214-3232; Fax: (601)266-6035; Individuals with hearing impairments can contact ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service at 1-800-582-2233 (TTY); or email Suzy Hebert at Suzanne.Hebert@usm.edu. Please read the remaining COB policy statements on the COB website at the following address: http://www.usm.edu/business/students/syllabus_statements.php You are responsible for knowing the content of the statements ignorance of the policies is not a valid excuse.

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Thank You!!! Modified on 16 January 2011.