Research Project: Analyzing Technology's Impact on Travel and Tourism

This research project explores the influence of technology, particularly social media, on the travel and tourism sector. The project begins with formulating research outlines, identifying factors for project selection, and conducting a critical review of key references. It analyzes social media's impact on the expansion of the travel and tourism industry, identifying major influences of social media by organizations and determining the relationship between social media technology and the travel and tourism industry. The report then details the creation of a research project specification, including problem identification, the research approach, and a literature review. Finally, it outlines a plan and procedures for the research, focusing on a one-month study of technology's influence on Thomas Cook, with the aim of understanding how technology, especially social media, can be leveraged to attract more tourists and improve the economic condition of the sector. The project addresses key research questions about the influence of social media, the major social media tools, and the relationship between social media and the tourism industry, providing insights into the use of social media to enhance travel and tourism.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Theme: The influence of technology in the travel and tourism sector............................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications............................1
1.2 Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection..............3
1.3 Undertake a critical review of key references..................................................................4
Analyse the influence of social media technology on expansion of travel and tourism industry
................................................................................................................................................4
Identify the major influences of social media by organisation to enhance travel and tourism
sector.......................................................................................................................................4
Determine the relationship of social media technology and travel and tourism industry......5
1.4 Produce a research project specification..........................................................................6
1.5 Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification.........7
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................10
INTRODUCTION:........................................................................................................................10
2.1 Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis...............................10
2.2 Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed specification
and procedures......................................................................................................................11
2.3 Record and collate relevant data where appropriate.......................................................12
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................16
Introduction:...................................................................................................................................16
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................24
Introduction:...................................................................................................................................24
4.1 Use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of the research to an
audience................................................................................................................................24
Covered in leaflet and PPT...................................................................................................24
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................25

Theme: The influence of technology in the travel and tourism sector
TASK 1
INTRODUCTION:
This task describes about formulating and recording influence of technology on Thomas
cook. It also explain about the identification of different factors that contribute to project
research selection. It also explain about the influence of social media technology and relationship
of social media and travel and tourism industry. It also describes about the creation of research
project specification and plans and procedure of research specification.
1.1 Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications
A research required to get done in better manner where each and every single project
outline need to specify in determine manner (Al-Badi, Tarhini and Al-Sawaei, 2017). It is
essential to draw and craft better blueprint so that define consideration for the project get done.
This outline specification need to get done in better manner so that effective and beneficial
assessment get done. The project outline specification includes and define all such aspects which
facilitate and support in performing the project in determine manner.
This project is based on influence of technology in travel and tourism sector industry.
This get analyse that from past few years, social media is taking appropriate place in determined
manner so that economic condition also getting modify in frame (Baka, 2016). This
consideration have certain aspects and attribute like formulation. Literature review, data
collection, data interpretation etc. Thus, to frame and done this aspect, appropriate aim,
objectives and research questions get done so that whole project get execute in better and
determined manner.
Thomas Cook will going to organise this aspect in definite manner so that they could
utilise and implement appropriate technology so that maximum number of tourist get attracted.
Aim: To identify the influence and impact of social media in spreading travel and tourism sector
– A case study on Thomas Cook
Objectives:
 To analyse the influence of social media technology on expansion of travel and tourism
industry
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 To identify the major influences of social media by organisation to enhance travel and
tourism sector
 To determine the relationship of social media technology and travel and tourism industry
Research Question:
 What will be the influence of social media technology on expansion of travel and tourism
sector?
 Which are the major social media tools which could be utilise by organisation in order to
enhance travel and tourism sector?
 What is a relationship between social media technology and travel and tourism industry?
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1.2 Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
A research project selection is not a easy thing but requires certain number of aspects and
attribute properly so that definite project would get selected. It is really essential to determine
and estimate certain number of factors properly so that a better study get execute which facilitate
in drawing beneficial aspects (Giaoutzi, 2017). Certain number of aspects and determination
which includes and define about the project selection are define and describe as follow: Benefits: One of a major factor which enable and support in research project selection
would be benefit. It is really essential for investigator to determine about benefits and
importance which get drawn by such project. Thus, with expansion of technology, it is
really essential to determine about influence of social media on travel and tourism
industry so that better awareness of technology get done in define course of frame.
 Feasibility: Another aspect which need to assess and understand would be feasibility to
determine that such project will become successful in tenure or not. This signify and
enable in defining that such projects require to choose which have lower risk in nature so
that all its essentials get fulfil in define frame of manner.
 Objective: Another aspect is related with future where investigator have to evaluate
major objective of topics. Then from define topics, one of a best one which reflect better
future related objective get interpret in suitable manner (Greenwood, 2016). This result in
proclaiming definite outcome in nature so that better project get selected.
These are the certain number of factors which contribute in the selection of topic of
influence of digital technology on travel and tourism sector. Although, one of a major benefit
while selecting this topic would be understanding of where technological expansion get estimate
better. Social media is one of a major digital technology tool which assist in drawing and
signifying better and effective outcome. Here, risk is lower than the assumptions because all
aspects would describe in better manner as well as each and every single aspect get understand
on the basis of customer or external respondents.
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1.3 Undertake a critical review of key references
Analyse the influence of social media technology on expansion of travel and tourism industry
Social media has develop and made huge impact on the tourism sector. Most of the
customers are engage with social media and different sites to the research trips which help in
making effective decisions regarding their travels and along with this they are share their
personal experience of specific hotel, airline and restaurant (Horner and Swarbrooke, 2016). The
travel and tourism company are reach with their customers which directly impact on the sector. It
has around 50 million creative and unique travellers or visitors who are mainly seeking with
travel data and information and give advice from the sources while they are trust and loyal
towards such travel and tourism industry in proper manner. There are various tourism business
which are using social media networking which help in achieving better position in the
competitive for grace the tourists. The customer who are love the beautiful places so they can
easily search those locations where they want to spend their whole day when they are going
outside. They required to analysing the social media sites which help in providing accurate data
and information in proper manner. This will assist in giving huge amount of income and revenue
in appropriately.
Identify the major influences of social media by organisation to enhance travel and tourism
sector
The impact of social media in an organisation will create various issues and problems.
Travel and tourism industry is not so far behind as visitors has became comfortable in current
time period (Huang and et. al., 2016). Firstly they are identifying best hotels, airlines, etc. along
with this, travellers are enhancing the impact by trip view and reviews and visitors can give their
response whether the customers gain poor services and facilities. Social media help in increasing
number of customer base towards an organisation which help them in enhancing their income
and revenue level. This will providing great deal of data and information to their travellers about
exploring such things, interesting cuisines on the platter and sub popular hotels. The agents and
travel sites can incorporate the travel techniques and methods for learning about visitors
requirements and needs and also introduce their personalised tour packages to visit that places. In
addition to this, combination with social media marketing provide high scope for travel firm
which help in increasing their online presence and streamline the whole data and information
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about different offers and packages for ensure an alternative solution of specific or desired
customer. There are various social media sources by which they are attracting large number of
customers such as Facebook, twitter, etc.
Determine the relationship of social media technology and travel and tourism industry
This can be determined as the travel and tourism sector will help in increasing their
strong relation with their visitors. Information is assessed by using this and education regarding
some interesting attractions can be established in all over the world. Along with this, internet is
possibly have most of the famous method of facts and figures on destination and the best way for
achieving them (Lester and Scarles, 2016). By using internet, there are various information and
data articles on destination can be established that will providing advantages to the travellers or
visitors. They will getting high skills and knowledge to analyse which place and location is the
best suitable for them and they are offering other services to them. By using the internet in easy
manner and at reasonable rate to book. With the online travel agencies, trips and flights can be
booked in simple manner by logging on specific sites or websites and they are developing choice
from any to specific tour packages which they are offered in better manner. For understanding
and evaluating the travel and tourism sector, in this they are attracting large number of people
towards their services and facilities.
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1.4 Produce a research project specification
A research project specification define and signify the things in better and determined
manner. Specification includes and define about all such consideration which support in project
execution better (Scott, Hall and Gössling, 2016). This project is based on determination of
digital technology on travel and tourism sector where certain number of things enable and
support in defining the things better and in determine manner: Problem identification: One of a major specified thing while organising a study is
identification of consideration for which project get organise. It is really essential to
determine the cause for which study would get organise so that better and define outcome
get assess. The major thing for which study would organise is related with identification
of technology influence of travel and tourism sector. Approach: The next specification will describe about approaches and methods which are
going to utilise for the project (Tussyadiah and Pesonen, 2016). It is really essential to
determine and identify all such approaches which enable and support in organise better
project working. This section of study define about all consideration of research
methodologies. Hence, this facilitate in conclude better outcome for project.
 Literature review: A research specification includes about literature review as well. This
define and signify about the consideration of literature review where each and every
aspect need to understand and assess better on the basis of various scholars aspects and
attribute. This result in proclaiming better and determined understanding of the project
topic.
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1.5 Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification
A major thing which need to get done while working on a project is action plan. It is
really essential to work align and properly with definite action plan so that suitable assessment of
working get done. Thus, before commencing any research project, there is a need to craft better
and suitable plan and procedure in nature so that supportive working attribute get done.
Thomas Cook study on influence of technology on travel and tourism section is a one
month study in which each and every single consideration get evaluated better. This result in
causing and claiming beneficial and effective outcome in nature of frame so that determined
results could be drawn (Ukpabi and Karjaluoto, 2017). This get done through presenting and
making Gantt Chart and Critical path system so that each and every activity get done on define
course of time. This result in managing task and divide whole work in better and determined
section of consideration. Gantt Chart: This is one of a tool which enable and support in divide the whole work of
project into various frame. It includes and define about appropriate starting time with
ending date with number of days in which project requires to complete. This study need
to complete within 2 months time duration with starting and ending date as well.
 Critical Path: This assist in providing shortest path for completed the project with
drawing parallel line towards each and every task. This result in defining better and
determined things in nature of frame so that suitable assessment get done. Thus, Critical
path enables in defining appropriate sign through which whole project get completed.
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8

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TASK 2
INTRODUCTION:
This task discuses discuses about the matching resources efficiently to research questions.
It also explain about the undertaking the investigation in accordance with specification and
procedures. It also discuses about receiving and collecting relevant data when it is important.
2.1 Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis
Resources are all such essential and important aspects which are helpful in order to
complete the project in better and determined manner. To execute and done a project better, it is
important to identify certain number of things which enable and facilitate to done and complete
whole project in better and determined manner.
 Resources need to met with appropriate and definite manner as per the agreed plan and
procedure (Vanhove, 2017). It is first and essential aspect which need to complete for the
project. Time based resource need to accomplish properly so that determined and
effective outcome get assess for long period of course. This result in proclaiming
signified outcome in reference of frame.
 Another resource could be related with source of information. It is really essential to
utilise better terms of reference for the project so that each and every consideration get
done in suitable and define frame of manner. Thus, this resource is another aspect and
consideration which need to fulfil in define and determined course of manner.
 Legal resources will also need to fulfil in describe manner. It is really important to met
with appropriate policies, procedures and legal consideration for the define project so that
better and supportive outcome could be drawn. Thus, such attribute also need to fulfil and
met properly in order to gain and determine effective and beneficial outcome.
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2.2 Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed specification
and procedures
Proposed research investigation have to get completed in define course of manner. It is
really essential to draw and undertake various consideration of the project in account so that
better and define course of manner get done. On the basis of agreed procedure and specification,
mainly two major sources of consideration requires to understand properly so that beneficial and
suitable outcome could be drawn which result in better concerning outcome. Thus, such aspects
of study are related with: Primary consideration: One of a major consideration for the project is primary one
where all kind of new and natural resources going to include in the project. It is really
essential to draw and include such aspects and consideration in account which enable and
support in defining various attributes properly (Zaitseva, Goncharova and Androsenko,
2016). Hence, primary consideration enable in managing aspects and attribute of the
study in better and determined manner of frame so that beneficial and effective outcome
get drawn. This result in proclaiming beneficial and effective frame in manner.
 Secondary consideration: Another consideration of the project would be related with
secondary ones where books, journals and other kind of sources get included in the
project. Thus, such consideration also requires to take in account so that better and
definite outcome could be drawn in frame of manner for deriving effective outcome and
met with agreed procedure and specification in define manner.
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2.3 Record and collate relevant data where appropriate
A data needs to collate and determine properly for the project so that beneficial
understanding and effective management of project get done. It is important in order to craft
questionnaire better so that suitable results could be drawn. A questionnaire is a set of questions
which facilitate and enable in determine the aspects of various respondents in better and define
frame of manner. This questionnaire is frame for Thomas Cook whom want to determine the
influence of digital technology on travel and tourism sector in order to gain and evaluate better
things in nature of consideration so that effective and better outcome could get assess in
managing and define aspect.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Email:
Q1 To identify the importance of social media tools in enhancing sales and profitability of
firms.
 Effective Customer Relationships
 Team Collaboration
 Boosting brand awareness
 Maximise Inbound Traffic
Q2 Does social media tools helps in expanding business operation of travel industry all around
the globe?
 Agree
 Disagree
Q3 What are the major social media tools used by firms in order to promote their travel
services?
 Facebook
 Twitter
 Online Portal
 Twitter
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Q4 What are the major marketing strategies used by Thomas Cook ?
Search Engine Optimization
 Blogging
 Leverage Influencers
 Effective social media
Q5 Does social media tools influence the operation of travel sector?
 Yes
 No
Q6 Does the social media techniques used by Thomas cook are useful in order to achieve
competitive gains at market places?
 Agree
 Disagree
Q7 What are the major tools adopted by firm in order to retain loyal customers?
 Discount offers
 Low cost services
 Security
Q8 Are you satisfied with the services offered by Thomas Cook?
 Yes
 No
Q9 What rating will you provide to the offered products and services of travel industry?
 Excellent
 Good
 Average
 Poor
Q10 Provide recommendation by which firms can maximise their sales and profitability ratios?
Below is a information which used to get created properly for the project on which basis
of aims and objectives. This information get created in define and effective manner by including
aspect of 20 respondents where 10 questions set get asked. This result in drawing effective and
beneficial outcome so that better and determined outcome for the project get done in order to
assess and define better and supportive outcome.
Q1 To identify the importance of social media FREQUENCY
13

tools in enhancing sales and profitability of
firms.
 Effective Customer Relationships 6
 Team Collaboration 4
 Boosting brand awareness 5
 Maximise Inbound Traffic 5
Q2 Does social media tools helps in
expanding business operation of travel
industry all around the globe?
FREQUENCY
 Agree 15
 Disagree 5
Q3 What are the major social media tools
used by firms in order to promote their travel
services?
FREQUENCY
 Facebook 4
 Twitter 8
 Online Portal 6
 Linked In 2
Q4 What are the major marketing strategies
used by Thomas Cook ?
FREQUENCY
 Blogging 8
 Leverage Influencers 5
 Effective social media 4
 Search Engine Optimization 3
Q5 Does social media tools influence the
operation of travel sector?
FREQUENCY
14

 Yes 14
 No 6
Q6 Does the social media techniques used by
Thomas cook are useful in order to achieve
competitive gains at market places?
FREQUENCY
 Agree 16
 Disagree 4
Q7 What are the major tools adopted by firm
in order to retain loyal customers?
FREQUENCY
 Discount offers 10
 Low cost services 5
 Security 5
Q8 Are you satisfied with the services offered
by Thomas Cook?
FREQUENCY
 Yes 15
 No 5
Q9 What rating will you provide to the
offered products and services of travel
industry?
FREQUENCY
 Excellent 6
 Good 4
 Average 6
 Poor 4
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TASK 3
Introduction:
This task describes about the using of research evaluation techniques. It also explain
about analysing and evaluating original project specifications.
3.1 Use appropriate ‘research evaluation techniques’
A research get done and execute through and support with various evaluation techniques
and tools. One of a major thing which requires to understand and determine better facilitate in
performing effective and beneficial consideration. Thus, following are certain number of aspects
which needs to utilise better for evaluate each and every aspect of study better so that beneficial
and effective gain could be assess in order to analyse and collect information from various
number of sources are define as follow: Sources of data: One of a major tool through which study get evaluate in better and
determine manner is source of data. Mainly, there are two major sources get evaluated for
collecting and gathering various kind of information in better and define manner. The two
sources from which information get gather is primary and secondary source of
information. This enable and support in defining each and every single consideration in
better and effective manner. Methods: A study get done through certain number of methods and techniques which
requires to understand and assist in defining frame of manner. Majorly qualitative and
quantitative methods would utilise in the study. Both of these tools facilitate and enable
in defining each and every single consideration better so that definite outcome could be
gain and drawn properly. Data Analysis: Another consideration through which things get evaluate better and in
appropriate manner is data analysis. A data get analyse through interpretation and various
graphs and charts as well. This enable and support in analyse each and every single piece
of information better so that define and beneficial outcome get assess in long period of
course so that a better understanding of the project also get done.
 Sampling: Another consideration which enable and support in defining the study better
and in appropriate manner is sampling. It is such kind of technique or presenting tool
which divide the whole respondents of study in equivalent manner so that beneficial
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aspects get drawn down. This result in proclaiming beneficial and effective outcome in
nature of frame so that
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3.2 Interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification
Q1 To identify the importance of social media
tools in enhancing sales and profitability of
firms.
FREQUENCY
 Effective Customer Relationships 16
 Team Collaboration 4
Effective Customer Relationships Team Collaboration
0
2
4
6
6
4
Column C
Interpretation: Many of the individuals or respondents stated that social media tool is helpful in
enhancing and profitability of firm but also enable in facilitating better customer relationship.
This enable and support in defining each and every thing better so that supportive assessment get
done in determined and effective manner of frame.
Q2 Does social media tools helps in
expanding business operation of travel
industry all around the globe?
FREQUENCY
 Agree 15
 Disagree 5
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Agree Disagree
0
5
10
15
15
5 Column C
Interpretation: Another aspect which get determine through this project stated that social media
tool is helpful in expanding business operations all around the world. This enable and support in
facilitating things properly because all individuals around the world get attracted via page of
company etc.
Q3 What are the major social media tools
used by firms in order to promote their travel
services?
FREQUENCY
 Facebook 4
 Twitter 8
 Online Portal 6
 Linked In 2
Facebook Twitter Online Portal Linked In
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
4
8
6
2
Column C
Interpretation: Twitter is determine as one of a major social media tool which enable and
support in attracting vast range of individuals recently. Previously this aspect get done by the
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Facebook but with change in course of time, this get perform through Twitter. Thus Thomas
Cook need to utilise this aspect in working properly.
Q4 What are the major marketing strategies
used by Thomas Cook ?
FREQUENCY
 Blogging 8
 Leverage Influencers 5
 Effective social media 4
 Search Engine Optimization 3
Blogging
Leverage Influencers
Effective social media
Search Engine Optimization
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
5
4
3 Column C
Interpretation: Thomas Cook start writing various blogs for various countries presentation. This
enable and support in and work as major marketing strategy so that determined outcome could be
reflected easily. This enable and facilitate to manage various consideration properly which
support in enhancing travel and tourism industry of the world.
Q5 Does social media tools influence the
operation of travel sector?
FREQUENCY
 Yes 14
 No 6
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Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
14
6 Column C
Interpretation: Although, many respondents clearly define that social media tool is beneficial
and supportive in order to influence operations properly. This assist and support in defining
various sections properly so that better customer base could get determine services in nature of
frame.
Q6 Does the social media techniques used by
Thomas cook are useful in order to achieve
competitive gains at market places?
FREQUENCY
 Agree 16
 Disagree 4
Agree Disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
16
4 Column C
Interpretation: A major thing or reason behind utilisation of social media tool is to gain
competitive advantage. Hence, many respondents signify that social media technique is helpful
for Thomas Cook in order to gain competitive advantage so that better and determined outcome
could get assess for long period of course.
Q7 What are the major tools adopted by firm FREQUENCY
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in order to retain loyal customers?
 Discount offers 10
 Low cost services 5
 Security 5
Discount offers Low cost services Security
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
5 5 Column C
Interpretation: For retaining loyal number of customers Thomas Cook used to provide various
discount offers to each and every single user. This enable and facilitate in attracting various
clients and users so that they could facilitate and determine effective and supportive outcome in
gain.
Q8 Are you satisfied with the services offered
by Thomas Cook?
FREQUENCY
 Yes 15
 No 5
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
15
5 Column C
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Interpretation: It get evaluated from above graphs and charts that Thomas Cook services
become appropriate and effective in nature. Thus, many of the users get satisfied with services
offers by Thomas Cook in definite frame of manner.
Q9 What rating will you provide to the
offered products and services of travel
industry?
FREQUENCY
 Excellent 6
 Good 4
 Average 6
 Poor 4
Excellent Good Average Poor
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
6
4
6
4
Column C
Interpretation: Many of the individuals stated rating to Thomas Cook services through digital
products. Although rating would be related with excellent and average which enable and support
to maximise customer base.
3.3 Make recommendations and areas for further consideration
Conclusion: From the above given information, it can be summarised that effective
implementation of digital technology at workplace provide various benefits to company. Use of
social media platforms help company in communicate with its target audience in effective
manner and another benefit of this is that in help in expand business operations in new areas.
Social media platforms largely affect the commercial operations of an organisation so it requires
to implement in organisation in better manner so that Thomas Cook can communicate with its
customers in better manner. Thomas cook can respond to the needs and wants of its customers
quickly, in this way, company can retain its customers for long time period. By offer discount
offers to company can attract large number of customers and can generate more profits.
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Recommendation: From the above given project, it is recommended to Thomas Cook to
offer discount offers to its target customers as this help in grasp the attention of more and more
number of customers and directly increase the number of revenues. It is very essential for firm
to provide proper training to its employees so they can easily operate with digital tools at
workplace and can perform their roles and responsibilities in better manner. communication with
customers is known as one of the most important element that largely affect the success and
failure of business. It is very essential for company to proper communication with the target
audience so it can provide them product and features as per their specific requirements.
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TASK 4
Introduction:
This task describes about using agreed format and appropriate media to present outcomes
of research to audience.
4.1 Use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of the research to an
audience
Covered in leaflet and PPT
25