Formulating A Research Proposal To Address Business-Related Problems

Learning Outcomes

Research objectives

• The aim of this research is to better understand how water conservation strategies impact the experiences of guests

Exploratory research focuses on investigating issues that have not been investigated previously. This would be the research approach used as this can help to understand the value of water conservation in hotels and develop the best methods for water conservation (Van Dun, Hicks & Wilderom, 2017). The research would be beneficial in thoroughly researching the matter. It is identical with the problem

Research methods

The research method that has been selected for the study is quantitative research method. This method would be effective in quantifying the opinions of the people of the organization. Hence, better implications can be gained for the study due to the availability of quantifiable opinions.

The researchers hope to utilize surveys for the task. The survey tool would be used as it would complement the quantitative research design that is utilized for the study. The opinion of the hotel guests can be known more effectively if surveys are conducted among them. Questionnaires would be formed and distributed among a group of selected respondents. Pre-determined closed ended questions would be used for the study. Likert scales would be the preferred mode for gathering responses.

The target groups for the survey are guests in Melbourne hotels. A population size of 50 respondents have been considered to provide better results for the study. These research population would comprise of guests that are currently staying in various hotels in the city. A minimum of three Melbourne hotels would be considered to reach out to this population for survey purpose. This target population is being selected as they are likely to have real-time experiences of staying in holes and using their water resources.

The proposed sampling technique for the study is purposive sampling technique. In this sampling technique, the sample size is selected according to the judgement of the researchers. The sampling would be done form among at least three hotels in Melbourne. This technique has been selected as this would help to reach out to the respondents who can provide the most valuable opinions in view of the research questions that have been formed. The regular and occasional guests would be found through the guest register of the hotels after gaining the requisite permissions. The researchers would then use the register to develop a primary list of people that would be approached depending on their hotel experience and accommodation period. This technique would help to reach the most relevant respondent groups for the study.

Section 1: Research Context

Descriptive statistics would be selected for the research analysis. This has been chosen as it would complement the quantitative research that is being undertaken. A data set would be summarized by brief descriptive coefficients. Quantitative data can be well presented and analysed through this data analysis technique.

Activity	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Week 5	Week  6	Week 7	Week 8	Week 9	Week 10
Planning
Developing survey Questionnaires
Approaching respondents
Undertaking Primary Research
Secondary Research
Collating data
Data Analysis
Data presentation
Submission

1. How satisfied are you with the water supply at your hotel?
2. Do you agree that your hotel needs to have better water conservation systems?
3. Does your organization face water conservation issues presently?
4. What is the best water conservation technique among the options that would be best suited to solve the water resource issues faced by your hotel?

(Techniques are provided as options)

1. Please select the water conservation issues that affect your organization more from the below options?

(Issues are provided as options)

The ethical considerations are much important in view of undertaking the research. The researchers would conform to the regulations of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct concerning human research (National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, 2007). In consideration of the same the researchers would not undertake any unethical means of gathering data. The data collected would not be manipulated to suit the needs of the researchers. The respondents would not be pressurized in any way to provide the responses. The respondents would be selected only after obtaining their permission. The research data would not be collected from minors below the age of 18 years. The researchers would not be evading from the provision of any form of information to gather the consent of the participants. People with disabilities encompassing physical, psychiatric, neurological or other forms of cognitive or intellectual ailments would not be approached for the research in light of some important ethical considerations. No form of participant information would be revealed to the public. Steps have been taken to ensure the complete confidentiality of any personal information provided by the respondents (Ryen, 2016). All information pertaining to the research would be revealed to the participants. The participants would not be pressurized in any way for gathering information.

References

Dief, M. E., & Font, X. (2010). The determinants of hotels’ marketing managers’ green marketing behaviour. Journal of sustainable tourism, 18(2), 157-174.

Khatter, A., McGrath, M., Pyke, J., White, L., & Lockstone-Binney, L. (2019). Analysis of hotels’ environmentally sustainable policies and practices. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.

Lee, H., Jai, T. M. C., & Li, X. (2016). Guests’ perceptions of green hotel practices and management responses on TripAdvisor. Journal of hospitality and tourism technology.

National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) – Updated 2018 | NHMRC. (2018). Retrieved 6 June 2020, from https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/national-statement-ethical-conduct-human-research-2007-updated-2018#:~:text=The%20National%20Statement%20is%20therefore,the%20ethical%20review%20of%20research.

Ryen, A. (2016). Research ethics and qualitative research. Qualitative research, 31-48.

Sotiriadis, M. A. R. I. O. S. (2018). Emerald Handbook of Entrepreneurship in Tourism, Travel and Hospitality. Emerald.

Van Dun, D. H., Hicks, J. N., & Wilderom, C. P. (2017). Values and behaviors of effective lean managers: Mixed-methods exploratory research. European management journal, 35(2), 174-186.

Vila, M., Enz, C., & Costa, G. (2012). Cornell Hospitality Quarterly.