Course Syllabus - TSI-Turismo Sant Ignasi

Innovative Hospitality Management
MASTER PROGRAMME IN
INNOVATIVE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Syllabus
2013-2014 Academic Year
Course title: In-company research thesis
Lecturer: PROFESSORS LEVENT ALTINAY
Oxford Brookes University, Business School,
Department of Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism
Management
OXFORD
[email protected]
Tel: 00 44 1865 483832
Publication for the exclusive use of TSI Turismo Sant Ignasi, ESADE- Universitat Ramon Llull; and
Hogeschool Zuyd, Hotel Management School Maastricht
No reproduction permitted
Innovative Hospitality Management
MASTER PROGRAMME – COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE: In-company research thesis
CODE: TFM
COURSE TYPE: Compulsory
ECS CREDITS: 14 ECS
LECTURER: Prof Levent Altinay
YEAR:
2013/2014
BLOCK: Barcelona/Maastricht
General Introduction:
During placement, a research assignment inside the company is developed, as part of the
requirements of the program.
At the start of the research project there must be a set of problems, which will enable the
student to set up the research. A well defined area shall be determined, to which the
research can make a significant contribution.
The first step consists in exploring the company’s and project context. The student examines
the situation in detail in order to define the practice-oriented research project.
The project might range from feasibility studies, clarifying a policy problem, identifying
bottlenecks, making recommendations for improving an existing situation or evaluating
processes, for instance. Its contribution in terms of practical implementation will be highly
valued.
Specifications and timeline:
Research Proposal
The Research Proposal is due either one month after reception of these guidelines (in case
the internship started prior to the date of reception), or one month after the contract starting
date, in all other cases (for example: start of internship May 15, delivery is June 15). This is
the latest possible submission date. However, if your proposal is ready prior to that date
please do not hesitate to submit it. The earlier you have the proposal accepted the better.
Please follow the Proposal Assessment Form guidelines provided at the Research Skills
module, and forward your document in digital format to the Methods tutor - Dr. Levent
Altinay: [email protected].
The tutor will offer the student detailed feedback via the rubric (if needed be, a second
version is acceptable). After reviewing the second version, the methods tutor will evaluate
and grade the proposal. A minimum grade equal or higher to 4.5 is required to be authorized
to continue with the research thesis.
Please be aware that the Master’s fraud and plagiarism regulations are applicable, as
outlined in the Norms & Regulations document.
Research Thesis
Innovative Hospitality Management
An academic supervisor will be appointed, to be in charge of the guidance of the student,
throughout the completion of the research project. The students will be informed of the
assigned academic supervisor once the research proposal has been accepted and marked.
The student may contact him/her for content related academic guidance. The academic
supervision of the projects is assigned to Faculty members of the three collaborating
institutions (TSI, MHMS & OXB).
The final version of the report must be forwarded to the academic supervisor, via e-mail, no
th
later than September 7 , with a copy to [email protected].
The academic supervisor will notify the student within 1 week of submission if the report is
acceptable for oral presentation and defence. The grade of the written project will be
submitted following the timelines specified at the Norms & Regulations of the program.
Research Oral Presentation and Defence
The defence and oral presentations will take place on September (See academic
calendar) at TSI Turismo Sant Ignasi (ESADE-URL) in Barcelona.
The public presentation has a duration of 15 minutes, unless otherwise specified, followed
by questions formulated by the jury (defence). Presentation and defence will be conducted
publicly, unless the project is designated as confidential. If so, the company and the student
must notify the academic supervisor in writing no later than September 1, specifying the
reasons.
Attendance to the presentations of the fellow students is recommended but not compulsory.
The IHM class will be auditing the presentations.
Late Submissions
Request for granting delayed submission must be forwarded in writing to the methods tutor/
academic supervisor and the coordinators, at least one week prior to the submission date.
The Academic Board will examine each case specifically and will notify the outcome to the
student accordingly. The Academic Board will determine the alternative submission date or
will inform the reasons for refusal.
Penalties for Late Submissions without Authorization
Research assignments submitted up to one week late without authorization will be penalised
by 25%. Submissions received later than one week without authorization will be deemed a
fail and a retake will be required.
Presentation Formats (Electronic Format, Paper, CD)
Please follow the guidelines below when forwarding electronic documents:
The file should be named as follows:
IHM Your full name Subject.extension
Only official names may be used: Examples: IHM Jan de Vries Research proposal.doc
Files named otherwise may get lost! If you are sending very large attachments (>2 MB),
always notify the recipient.
One copy of the final report has to be handed in on the day of presentation, together with
two CD-Rom copies (including the Oral Presentation support material) unless otherwise
indicated. Unless a company has designated a research project as confidential, the projects
will be accessible through the libraries of MHMS and TSI Tourism School Sant Ignasi.
Access to Information Sources
Innovative Hospitality Management
To access bibliography we strongly recommend you to visit the available libraries in your
area, including the University libraries, if geographically possible. The MHMS electronic
databases provide you online remote access to a wide range of hospitality and tourism
related academic journals. In a separate document you will receive the list of databases.
Fraud and plagiarism
Please be aware that the Master’s fraud and plagiarism regulations are applicable, as
outlined in the Norms & Regulations document
Evaluation:
Members of the Jury
JS – José Sánchez
DF – Daniela Freund de Klumbis
ZR – Zaida Rodrigo
DB – David Bowie
KdA – Katharine d’Amico
MH – Math Heckman
EB – Esther Binkhorst
EJ – Ewoud Jansen
TK – Tugba Kalafatoglu
LA – Levent Altinay
TS – Ton Stekelenburg
RS – Ricard Santomà
JP – Jorge Peralta
The students’ performance will be evaluated by a faculty jury as follows:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
i.
In class Test
Research Proposal
Research Written Report
Research Presentation/Oral Defence
10 %
20%
50 %
20 %
Research Proposal (see Annex 1) / Marking criteria (see Annex 2)
Index of the Research Proposal:
 Working Title
 Background (rationale)
 Research aim and objectives
 Academic context (literature review)
 Chosen Research Approach
 Methods (including sample)
 Time scale and resources, possible constraints
 Presentation
Length research proposal: Maximum 10 pages including references and tables/figures
ii.
Research Written Report
Criteria for the Evaluation of the Research Report:
 Cover page
 Abstract (250-300 words)
 Acknowledgements
 Table of contents
 Introduction
 Literature review chapter(s)
Innovative Hospitality Management






Conceptual framework
Methods
Findings and discussion
Conclusions and implications
List of references (according to Master IHM regulations)
Appendices
Indicative length research paper: 50 pages, not including appendixes and list of references
iii.
Research Presentation
Criteria for the Evaluation of the Research Presentation:
 Elaboration, use of techniques;
 Clarity;
 Overview; accuracy of the summary;
 Definition of terms;
 State of the question, use of sources;
 Organization of materials;
 Analysis and reasoning: internal consistency;
 Analysis and reasoning: external relevance;
 Synthesis (conclusions).
iv.
Oral Report Defence
Criteria for the Evaluation of the Oral Report Defence:
 Argumentation;
 Knowledge of the research subject;
 Self-reflection;
 Presentation and decisiveness;
 Strength and clarity of defence.
Innovative Hospitality Management
Annex 1
Proposal Assessment form
Student name:
Project working
title:
Comments on main aspects of the proposal:
Working title (max 12 words): 5 points
This should represent the content of your proposal. Remember that your working title
may alter as your research progresses.
Background (Rationale) (max 2 pages) : 20 points
This section should highlight the importance of the topic for the literature (new body of
knowledge) and also for you (interest, career opportunities etc). Emphasis should be
placed on the theoretical gaps. The following questions should be answered briefly.
a) What in summary does the existing research tell us about the topic?
b) What in summary does the existing research NOT tell us? What are the research
gaps in the literature?
c) What are you proposing to do?
In answering these questions, you should express your research topic in the form of a
problem which needs solving, a question that needs answering or something which you
find exciting and has aroused your curiosity.
Research aim and objectives: (max 1 page) – please state them either as bullet
points or research questions) (10 points)
The background section should lead smoothly into clear statements of your aim and
objectives. These should leave the assessing tutor and your project supervisor in no
doubt as to precisely what it is your research seeks to achieve. Remember, your research
aim and objectives should be achievable within the time frame of their masters’
programme and within their available resources.
Academic context (Literature Review): (max 3 pages) (20 points)
In this section, you are expected to:
Discuss the key academic ideas (theories) within the area of your research topic
referencing them to their main proponents (authors)?
Innovative Hospitality Management
Indicate how your research relates to these ideas (theories)?
Please define the research focus clearly.
Chosen Research Approach: (max 1 page) (10 points)
In this section, you are expected to answer the following questions:
Which research philosophy is going to underpin your research process (phenomenological,
Positivist) OR which research approach (inductive or deductive) is going to underpin your
research process?
What is the strategy you are intending to use?
Why are you intending to use this strategy?
In answering these questions you should explain briefly the philosophies or approaches,
strategy or strategies you intend to use (e.g. case study, survey, experiment, action
research or perhaps a combination) and why.
Methods (including sample): (max 2 page) (15 points)
In this section, you should answer the following questions:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of at least three data collection in general?
How do you intend to obtain your data?
Why are you using this or these methods?
What is your likely sample?
Time scale and resources, possible constraints: (max 1 page) (15 points)
In this section, you should answer the following questions:
What are the key activities that you will need to undertake to complete you dissertation?
How long do you think each of these activities is likely to take?
What are the likely dates associated with the completion of these activities?
Do you have sufficient resources (money, access etc. to undertake the proposed
research)?
Presentation (5 points)
You are expected to present a well structured and professional report. A correctly
presented list of references using the Harvard System.
*Please note that your proposals should be maximum 10 pages
including the references and tables/figures.
Innovative Hospitality Management
Annex 2
Marking criteria
DISTINCTION (9-10)
Your Proposal provides a powerful rationale for the subject. The proposed topic is
challenging, as well as being appropriate to the requirements of the Master’s Dissertation
(in terms of focus and academic level). The aims and objectives are precise, realistic and
consistent with the rationale. You provide a thorough review of the relevant literature in
the subject area by using a range of appropriate and up-to-date sources. Identifies and
critically evaluates an appropriate theoretical framework which underpins the study.
There is evidence of evaluation and selectivity of the material presented. The literature
review also demonstrates an excellent understanding of the subject through critical
interpretation and analysis of issues. The proposal evaluates the strengths and
weaknesses of the chosen research approach. A research method(s) is chosen which is
excellently justified through the evaluation of at least three methods. Potential limitations
are assessed. A realistic, detailed and practical time plan has been developed. The
proposal is well structured and excellently presented.
MERIT PASS (7-8,9)
Your Proposal provides a good rationale for the subject. The proposed topic is very
appropriate to the requirements of the Master’s Dissertation. The aims and objectives are
well conceived and formulated, and are consistent with the stated rationale. You provide
a thorough review of relevant literature in the subject area using appropriate sources.
There is evidence of a theoretical framework having been developed. The literature
review demonstrates an understanding and critical review of the subject and its
implications for the study. The proposal identifies and begins to evaluate the strengths
and weaknesses of the chosen research approach. A research method(s) is chosen
which is well justified through the evaluation of at least three methods. Potential
limitations are identified. A realistic and practical time plan has been developed. The
proposal is well structured and presented.
PASS (5,5-6,9)
Your Proposal provides a relatively sound rationale for the subject. The proposed topic is
appropriate to the requirements of the Master’s Dissertation. The aims and objectives are
consistent with the stated rationale. You provide a review of relevant literature in the
subject area using appropriate sources. There is some evidence of a theoretical
framework having been developed. The literature review demonstrates an understanding
of the subject and its implications for the study. The proposal identifies the strengths and
weaknesses of the chosen research approach. A research method(s) is chosen which is
justified through the evaluation of at least three methods. Potential limitations are
identified. A realistic and practical time plan has been developed. The proposal is
effectively presented.
REFER (4,5-5,4)
Your Proposal does not provide a specific rationale for the subject. The proposal is
unfocused and not presented well. The aims and objectives are poorly conceived. There
is evidence that you have carried out some review of the literature, but this is likely to be
limited. You have not identified an appropriate theoretical framework to underpin your
study. The proposal does not sufficiently identify the strengths and weaknesses of the
Innovative Hospitality Management
chosen research approach. A research method(s) has been chosen which is not
sufficiently justified through the evaluation of at least three methods and as a result may
be inappropriate. Potential limitations are not identified. Lack of a realistic and practical
time plan. The proposal is not well presented.
FAIL (Below 4,5)
Your proposal fails to address the requirements of the assignment. The structure, use of
English, research, discussion and referencing completely fail to meet the standards
expected at Master’s level. You demonstrate a lack of knowledge and understanding of
research methodology.
Innovative Hospitality Management
Annex 3
In-Company Research Project - Presentation and
Defence Evaluation
Member of the Jury:
Student’s name:
insufficient
sufficient
good
very good
excellent
with honors
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very strongly
insufficient
strongly insufficient
1. Organization of
materials; Structure of
the presentation
2. Analysis and reasoning:
internal consistency
3. Analysis and reasoning:
external relevance
4. State of the question,
use of sources
5. Use of language; Use of
non-verbal
communication
6. Clarity of conclusions
and synthesis
7. Elaboration; Use of
techniques
bad
Criteria for the
Evaluation
very bad
Presentation (10% of the Final Grade)
Feedback:
Total Grade
Presen
tation: :
______
/7=
______
Defence (10% of the Final Grade)
1. Argumentation
2. Knowledge of the
research subject
3. Self-reflection
4. Presentation &
decisiveness
5. Strength & clarity of
defence
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10
Total Grade
Defenc
e:
______
/5=
______
Innovative Hospitality Management
Additional comments:
Publication for the exclusive use of TSI -Turismo Sant Ignasi, Hotel Management School Maastricht and Oxford Brookes University. No
reproduction permitted