Critical Reflection on Ethical Issues in Tourism Research Project

This report presents a critical reflection on the ethical issues within the travel and tourism industry. The research aims to assess the impact of tourism on employment, economic services, and sector growth in the United Kingdom. The methodology involves a deductive approach, descriptive resear...Read More

Critical Reflection of
Ethical Issues

RESEARCH AIM
The aim of the research is to segregate the impact of travel and tourism into the following
dimensions:
 Employment generation in the country.
 Services that contribute towards the betterment of the economy.
 The mechanism that would contribute towards the growth of the sector.
Thus, primary and secondary data would be analyzed to achieve the aim of the research.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Identification of the objectives is important to achieve the aim of the research and cover all
the aspects of the research topic. Moreover, the objectives of the research are mentioned below:
 To measure the contribution of travel and tourism towards the Gross Value Added of the
United Kingdom.
 To evaluate the growth in the employment rate due to the incorporation of new
companies under the travel and tourism sector.
 To compare the contribution of travel and tourism sector with other industries towards
the economy of the country.
 To highlight the services that would enhance the number of visitors and attract foreign
funds to strengthen the economy of the country.
 To understand the perception and mindset of the tourists visiting cultural and historical
locations of the United Kingdom.
The objectives are designed in a way that would proceed towards the achievement of the
aim of the research.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is an important tool for a researcher as it is a bundle of different
data collection and analytical tools which help me in identifying the impact of travel and tourism
industry over the economy. There are certain aspects related to research methodology which are
used for conducting extensive research these are as follows:
 Research approaches are of two types deductive and inductive and for my research I
have used detective research approach. With the help of detective research approach I

first identified an appropriate theory and according the developed hypothesis and used
then to make comparison and verified with other statistical tools.
 Research design is a practice used by the investigator for collecting and analysing
different information. For my project I have used to descriptive Research design as it is
one of the most accurate tool used for examining and describing a respective situation.
 Research methods are the phenomena by which the researcher collect data for achieving
the objectives and fulfilling the aim of the research. For the particular research I have
used both quantitative and qualitative research methods. in regard to collect qualitative
information interviews and literature review are the two tools used. For collecting
quantitative information online survey through questionnaire is conducted.
 Research participants are those members who are directly or indirectly become the core
member of a study. In regards to this research a sample size of 50 random participants is
selected by me from the population of 200. These respondents include population of
tourist visiting the cultural and historical attractions of the United Kingdom regularly,
people who have used multiple services from travel and tourism organisation of the
United Kingdom and lastly entrepreneurs who are working in the travel and tourism
industry for more than 2 years.
 Research validity and reliability is a very important concept considered in a research
study and for doing so I have used open minded questionnaires. This is a tool used for
improving the validity and reliability of the information which I collect as it do not
restrict the feedbacks and opinions of people.
 Data analysis processes which I adopted for my study are broad and with the help of
primary and secondary data where uh I used diagrams and graph to showcase the results
captured from questionnaire. As well as narrative analysis have also provided for
evaluating the outcomes of the interviews and questionnaire respondents.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
It is a very important aspect for a researcher or an investigator to maintain ethical
practices and take into ethical considerations while conducting the research practice. I have also
made sure to improve the credibility of my research project by using different practices such as
random selection of population and participants, following ethical standards while collecting

quantitative and qualitative data and making sure to provide appropriate outcomes without any
manipulation and influences.
RESPECT FOR THE AUTONOMY, PRIVACY AND DIGNITY OF
INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES
In order to maintain autonomy privacy and dignity of people as well as communities who
are involved in my research there are certain procedures that are used by me such as taking
consent, maintaining confidentiality and making fair treatments. as a researcher identified that
there are two ways for maintaining privacy and anonymity as well as respect of people involved
in the research that are conducting confidential research and anonymous research. I have made
use of both the research techniques in my project.
SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY
Scientific integrity is a notion which revolves around the earth and the city of quantitative
data collected for the project. I have made use of open-minded questioner in my research and in
order to maintain the scientific integrity of the data institutional policies are used by me such as
developing appropriate group for gathering information.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
This is an ethical theory which is needed to be followed by investigators or researchers
working on a study over a particular topic. While conducting by research about the impacts
imposed by tourism and travel industry over the United Kingdom and the economy there was
certain social responsibilities which I fulfilled. At first I need sure that I am not violating any
human rights or environmental responsibilities. Along with it another social responsibility which
I accomplished during this project was of completing all my duties and responsibilities of which
I was liable along with keeping the personal information of participants confidential and using
only those information in my research on which I have valid consent.
MAXIMISING BENEFIT AND MINIMISING HARM
Conducting a study on a respective topic and for identify and several different aspects by
collecting various information and analysing them is a critical task to perform involving number
of risks and harm. A very important and key role which I I need to perform as researchers is to
make sure all different types of risks such as collecting false data or making bias analysis of

outcomes collected through interviews and questionnaires motivator in the best possible manner.
Also it is my responsibility to initiate the research with the motive of earning him maximum
benefits from it.