TLH251: Qualitative Research Methods Portfolio for Tourism Studies

This student assignment is a qualitative research methods portfolio for a Tourism, Hospitality, and Events module (TLH251). It includes an interview checklist outlining key questions about London tourism, and a participant observation section detailing the author's observations in a railway station waiti...Read More

Research Methods for Tourism,
Hospitality and Events

Table of Contents
1. Interview checklist task...............................................................................................................3
2. Participant observation................................................................................................................3
3. Visual Methodologies..................................................................................................................5

1. Interview checklist task
The main themes covered in the interview will be identifying main reason behind people visiting
London.
Research Project: Why people visit London
Main questions Specific topics and issues
Introduce self and research project
Social/economic background - Age
- Marital status, children
- Income, past and present
Childhood holidays - Location, activity
- Who they went with
- Reason to visit that place
What attracts to London - Is it mandatory to visit London?
- Why they visit London?
- How frequently they visit London?
Link to London - Is there any relative of visitor in
London?
- What is the duration of their stay in the
UK?
- Are you a student or worker
Who do they go on holiday with now? - Partner
- Children
- Others
Location other than London - Which place is the best alternative of
London for them?
- What are the common things at this
alternate place compare to London?
Specific reason to visit London - Specific attraction
- Further studies
- Meet friends or any relatives
- Applying for Job
2. Participant observation
When I entered the waiting room, my nostrils stinked, but I soon got used to it. When I heard that
the train had arrived, there were a few seats left, and I quickly took a seat and was comfortable.
On the other side of me, I had a family of five working in a small business. The wife would have
forgotten to do housework before she left. And her husband scoured her. At best, the three oldest

children in the top eight chased each other through the waiting room, and the mother shouted to
control them.
On the other bench sat an elderly couple who could hardly talk to each other. They seemed so
lost in their own world, and perhaps overwhelmed by the worries of this ruthless world.
Suddenly, the old woman began to look closely at the three young children playing together,
saying words with a smile on her husband's serious face.
A new young couple sat in every corner of the room and chatted with each other in muddy
voices. They were simply happy with each other's interactions and didn't notice the younger
students staring at their pretty young wife and giving comments. Luckily, this announcement
took place next for their tour and was replaced by a group of female hockey players who
returned from the game. Their high energy and enthusiasm made it easy to determine that they
won the competition and are now rushing home.
Initially, the customer sat very stiffly in a chair next to the secretary's desk. She (client) took a
magazine and quickly flipped the pages with her fingers without looking at them. Then he put
down the paper, looked at the watch, took off his skirt and picked up the paper again. I didn't
look at the newspaper this time. He put it down again, took out the cigarette and started smoking.
The receptionist looked at the corners of his eyes, looked at the newspaper again, and then saw
two or three people waiting in the room. His gaze quickly changed from man to newspaper,
tobacco, and from man to newspaper. She did not make eye contact with anyone in the room.
When the secretary finally called her name, she jumped on alert.
It was a very interesting 2 hour wait. Isn't it strange that when someone is sitting there you are
observing a lot of human behavior that you usually don't notice with an anxious mind?
Short commentary
a. I personally participate. Yes, my opinions and point of view of observing the information
implicated the data collected. Measurement is simply the primary quantitative way in which an
observer measures the frequency and / or intensity of a particular behavior or event, or reflects a
particular social situation and stage behavior. While most of the direct observation data is
collected from real viewers, many observational studies are not technically challenging for
human data collectors. Direct observation data is direct observation data and does not require

interaction between the observer and the subject. In principle, if the audio or video recording is
set up correctly, interesting events can be recorded even without a researcher on site. In fact,
most observational studies are simply much easier to do with human observers. People are often
cheaper and more complete than video or audio recordings and often do some sort of interview
while watching live.
b. Setting of the research project was opened.
c. No, the location was railway stations waiting room so no negotiation access required to the
field. There are no implications of this on research.
d. I get to know many things about human behavior which I never experienced till now. I never
see the world in this way, I feel like am empathizing on another’s shoes. These feelings help me
to collect more detailed information about the participants which I was observing.
3. Visual Methodologies
1. The visual composition indicates the theme on Room Concert delivering by MOXY on 15th
July, date not mentioned.
The image shows people having fun at MOXY hotel; there have been crazy images of people
enjoyment which is different from ordinary way of joy.
2. It includes digital marketing, and advertisement on social media’s such as facebook,
instagram, and twitter will help hotel to spread their message and service idea. Magazines could
also be a good option.
3. It is intended for couples, especially having age between 18 to 28 years. The prime audience
will be fun loving and crazy people who want to experience crazy things in their life, and eager
to share these crazy things on social media platform.
4. The targeted viewer will immediately participate in the concert, as the theme is clearly
reflected into this image.
5. Yes, elements of this image is the sign of giving facility by hotel like personal homes with
music concert. A personal room will be provided with full music party. Some signs like a lady

wearing headphones and listening to the music, and a couple enjoying in half naked dress with
fry pane in their hand shows like it’s a music party concert organizing by MOXY hotel.
6. Its savage human activity, where people hanging around like crazy and doing out of box
activities which shows full enjoyment and no limitation concert.