Term Paper on "Travel Agents Analysis"

Quoted Instructions for "Travel Agents Analysis" Assignment:

Academic level of Your writing:BA Hons degree Final Year (u.k)

Could I have ***** ***** BREBENEL conduct the dissertation.

This is a business and marketing dissertation and is to be based on the project proposal I have attached. I have changed some objectives and you should focus more on the nature, implications and drivers of re-intermediation in the travel industry. *****high street***** is not sufficient; on/off line can have both in parallel. Sufficient use of journal articles need to be used, along with all interviews and questionnaires made, results found, and problems encountered.

Problem Identification (10%)

To what extent was the nature of the problem identified original and challenging?

Are the objectives/hypothesis clear and applicable?

Dose the research question identify a gap in the literature?

Literature review (15%)

Was there comprehensive coverage of the relevant literature?

To what extent there was clear evidence of reading/references from appropriate sources?

Methodology and Data Collection (15%)

Was the chosen research method(s) appropriate to the subject and well justified?

Was the empirical data appropriate to the subject?

Were the chosen research methods used in an effective way?

Was the sampling technique discussed, if appropriate?

Analysis and Evaluation (25%)

Was there evidence of:

- a critical approach to the literature and/or data collection?

- an understanding of the chosen research methods(s) ?

- justification for the use of the chosen research method(s)?

Was there an awareness of the assumptions made or limitations in the literature and/or data collection?

Was the argument logical, coherent and balanced?

Was the analysis rigorous

Was there an appropriate balance between the theoretical and practical aspects of the project?

Conclusions (15%)

Were the findings of the study explained?

Were the implications/applications of the study explored?

Were the conclusions relevant and appropriate to the problem?

Were the limitations/shortcomings of the project understood and explained?

Were areas of further research identified?

To what extent were the conclusions supported by the findings and arguments in the body of the project

Organisation and Presentation (10%)

Was the project organised and structured in an effective and logical way?

Did the writing style display:

- formal academic writing style (e.g. using third person instead of I, we and us)

- fluency?

- clarity?

- conciseness?

- conventional spelling and grammar?

Referencing (10%)

Was the project fully and accurately referenced to academic convention i.e. The Harvard Method?

7. Project structure

The following is considered to be an acceptable and logical way of structuring your project.

Title Page

Acknowledgements Page

Abstract

Contents Page

Introduction

Literature Review

Method

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

Bibliography

Appendices

Title Page

The title page must include the following:

The Title of the project: although the title of the project is a personal matter it should be one that reflects the subject

Acknowledgements Page

To acknowledge and thank anyone whom you want to for giving assistance with your project. This page is very much optional.

Abstract

Written last but the first section of the report. A brief and concise preview of the report based upon the information from the other sections of the report.

What might be included in the Abstract:

- some background information

- the principal reason for the study

- an outline of the methods used

- a summary of the results of the study

- outline of the conclusions / recommendations

Contents Page

This page lists the main parts of the project together with their page numbers.

Introduction

The introduction provides a perspective for the reader. It establishes a context of where the research fits into the wider area of study. The information might be provided in a sequence from General background information to Specific information e.g.

(a) general statements about the area of study i.e. put research into some context;

(b) specific statements about aspects of the problem already reported by other researchers (this could be in the form of a Literature Review and where this is extensive enough it might warrant a separate chapter in its own right);

(c) why there is a need for further investigation;

(d) purpose and objectives of the project;

(e) the report plan (chapters contents.

Literature Review

A discussion of the main concepts of the research and previous research to justification the research and show its contribution to knowledge:

(a) general statements *****“ these provide the reader with the necessary background information on the topic in relation to the general area of study.

(b) specific statements *****“ these are to review the findings of other researchers who have published in the area of study. They confirm that the author is familiar with important research in the area and open the way to their research topic.

There is a need to cite the relevant authors in a consistent way using the 'Harvard' method.

When discussing previous research on the subject area it should be done in some systematic, logical order e.g.

(i) Chronologically: Discussing the research from a historical perspective e.g. If discussing motivational theory it could be Taylor, Maslow, Herzberg; or

(ii) Different Approaches e.g. Content theories followed by process theories of motivation (but also chronologically)

(c) Further investigation - why there is the need for further investigation. Weaknesses / gaps / shortcomings in the existing literature e.g. areas ignored, conflicting ideas / conclusions. A new research question that has not previously been considered or previous ideas extended.

(d) The purpose and objectives of the project - the specific research problem. A brief outline of what is to be done. The scope of the report.

(e) Justification for the research - the value, benefits of the work to other researchers / workers in the area. The practical or theoretical benefits.

Method

Describes the methods, procedures and materials used in the research project e.g:

- The population / sample; sampling technique; location; materials used.

- Questionnaire / interview; procedure e.g. postal / face to face.

- How the data was an*****d i.e. what analytical technique was used.

- Any restrictions / limitations in the research process.

Results /Discussion

Presentation of the most important findings. It is important to note that while figures, tables or graphs may be used they should be seen as illustrating points made in the body of the dissertation or as providing further information. Do not provide a succession of tables or graphs without introducing them and without a commentary or discussion.

You may present results and the discussion of results as two separate chapters or you may integrate them. If in doubt discuss this with your supervisor.

Conclusions

Brief overview of findings i.e. reference to original research topic/hypothesis; review of findings; explanation of findings; implications/applications of study; limitations; shortcomings of project; areas that could be developed further.

The conclusion is not merely a simple summary of the previous information but a drawing together of the relevant parts of the project which can be justified by the findings to produce a coherent position.

Bibliography

Referenced publications are listed in the bibliography alphabetically by author*****s name using the Harvard System.

Appendices

Copies of questionnaires; interview schedules; diagrams, figures and graphs which are too large for the text should be provided in this section.

General Presentation

The project must be word processed or typed on A4 paper, double spaced with 25mm margins. The font and font size must be such that the project is easily readable e.g. a font size of either 12 or 14 point (excluding headings). Use widely-used fonts such as Times New Roman, not those that might be considered informal or unusual.

Pages must be sequentially numbered.

Chapters, sections and sub-sections must be clearly identified and sequentially numbered or lettered with separate chapters beginning on a new page.

Diagrams, graphs, figures, tables, pictures and charts must be incorporated into the project, NOT photocopies stuck in and they should be clearly labelled and referenced.

References must be accurately provided in the text using the Harvard System.

All quotations must be acknowledged and correctly presented within the text i.e. other than very short ones, quotations should be indented and in single spacing.

Number of words should be mentioned at the end of the dissertation and before the bibliography.

Dissertation Criteria

Problem Identification

- shows originality to the nature of the problem;

- the research problem was complex and difficult;

- the problem was clearly articulated

-identified gap in the literature

Literature review

- there was comprehensive coverage of relevant literature;

- clear evidence of reading/references from appropriate sources;

Data Collection

- the chosen research method(s) were appropriate to the subject;

- the empirical data was appropriate to the subject;

- the chosen research method(s) were highly effective

Analysis and Evaluation

- there was a rigorous analysis supported by evidence;

- ideas, issues were highly developed in a logical way;

- the argument was logical, coherent and balanced;

- there was a critical mastery of the literature and/or data collection;

- there was an excellent understanding and justification of the chosen research method(s)

- there was an excellent awareness of the assumptions made and limitations in the literature and/or data collection;

Conclusions

- the findings of the study were clearly and fully explained;

- the implications/applications of the study fully explored;

- the conclusions were highly relevant and appropriate to the problem;

- the limitations/shortcomings of the project were fully understood and explained;

- areas for further research were identified and explained;

Organisation and Presentation

- the project was organised and structured in a highly effective and logical way;

- the writing style displayed fluency, clarity and conciseness with conventional spelling and grammar;

Referencing

- fully and accurately referenced to academic convention

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