Individually, or in groups of two, students will conduct research and write a short research paper on a tourism topic chosen from the list below. In addition, students will write an individual one page reflection on their research process. Each of these components will be explained in greater detail below.
Purpose of the assignment
Throughout your studies and professional careers, you will be required to demonstrate basic research skills. It is important that you know how to find information, how to evaluate the information, and how to document the sources you use when writing your papers/reports. This assignment gives you the opportunity to develop basic research skills that you will be able to draw on throughout your future.
Produce a properly formatted title page for an academic paper. It must include: Title of your paper, assignment name, your name, the course name and section, and the date submitted no page number.
2. Research Paper: (3 full pages)
To complete this piece of the assignment students will utilize TRU library and Internet based resources to conduct basic research on their selected topic. Once you have gathered your information, you will need to assess the information for its credibility and its usefulness for your paper. Students will then write a 3 full-page well-structured research paper (not including your reference list) on their selected topic using their sources to support their writing. Your reference list will be in addition to this.
Overall the research paper needs to include:
Proper introduction
o Include a topic sentence that explains what the focus of your paper is. This is important as it gives the reader an idea of what is to come in the body of your paper.
Body paragraphs
Including main points written in your own words and supported with evidence from your research findings. To conclude this section of your paper provide an answer to the following question. Do you think this topic is important for further research in tourism? Why or why not?
o
Conclusion
This is a succinct summary of your paper without any new information.
Citation throughout
o A minimum of the following three types of sources:
One academic source or refereed journal article
One Industry Association or related website
One Book
o Properly formatted in-text citation throughout your paper.
3. Reference list, following the paper, in proper APA citation format
Free of grammatical and structural errors
For a ton of great information on how to complete a research process and get your citation correct visit: https://www.tru.ca/library/research-help.html
For information on how to plan and format a University paper, visit the Writing Center link below for some ideas (look at the Essay Template). https://www.tru.ca/writingcentre/resources/writing.html
4. Reflection on the Research (1 -1.5 pages) This is an individual assignment even if you worked with a partner.
This reflection is an opportunity to review your research process and reflect on how you felt about research before this assignment and how you feel about research now that you have done the assignment.
In your reflection please answer the following questions in question and answer format:
a) When you hear the word research, what comes to mind? This is a follow up to
our class discussion.
b) Have you done a research paper such as this one in the past? If yes, where,
which course?
c) Did you feel like you had the skills to do this research project or did you feel
like you needed to build more skills? Explain.
d) Why/how you did you selected your topic for this assignment?
e) Did you work with a partner? How did you divide up the work?
f) What personal challenges did you face doing this research project?
g) For your next research project, what will you do differently?
Evaluation Criteria
Overall formatting, organization, and adherence to layout parameters (course outline)
Research Paper
o Organization and structure; appropriate level of cited material; individual thought and voice; identifiable intro, body, and conclusion with clear topic statement.
o Properly formatted APA intext and Work Cited list
Reflection
o Well-developed answers to all six questions with appropriate depth to each response including clear answers and demonstrated thought given to each response
o 1 full page -1.5 pages.
