As outlined above, the purpose of this research is to design and develop a professional learning programme for tourism at university level. This means there will be a requirement to investigate existing or secondary research in this area through the various stakeholders (i.e. GAU, accrediting bodies, students and the tourism sector). This research will first establish the context and purpose, and in conclusion support the construction of the AR; secondly, it will assess what is required by way of content, which could be understood as the planning action that paves the way for action on the knowledge gained for the professional learning programme, which I refer to as taking action. Once the design is complete the various stakeholders will be invited to give their views on the research, by which means the research will arrive at the evaluating the action stage, where I will reflect on these views and, if necessary, further construct, plan and take action, and again evaluate. This methodology will allow the research to be accurate in terms of its content, which is important for research of this nature. This action research includes the design, delivery and structure of a blended teaching programme determined by the requirements of a variety of stakeholders. Two cycles of action research will be employed: one will identify the main requirements through interviews during the planning action stage (and action taken to design the programme, which I evaluate in the first cycle); and in the second cycle I enter the process that will re-construct, and plan actions, followed by taking the actions, based on a focus group, and then evaluation and revision of the findings, thereby repeating the cycle again, as in Figure 3.5.
CONSTRUCTION: Study of macro/micro environment and outline of research requirements
Table 3.1 below is an outline of the different methods to be adopted during the research process in accordance with the set objectives:
PLANNING ACTION:
Invitation and interviews with stakeholders
TAKING ACTION:
Design of the new programme
EVALUATING ACTION:
Compare secondary data with primary
CONSTRUCTION:
Justification of designed programme
PLANNING ACTION: Preparation of venue, questions, moderator and design of focus . Invitation of
stakeholders to focus group
TAKING ACTION:
Hold focus group
EVALUATING ACTION: Revise
programme
CYCLE TWO
Table 3.1 Research objectives and methods
RESEARCH AIM OBJECTIVES DATA COLLECTION
INSTRUMENT STAKEHOLDERS AND RELEVENT ASSOCIATIONS DATA To research the requirements of the stakeholders in tourism education and develop an apprenticeship programme at GAU
1. To carry out a detailed literature review of apprenticeships and their development, particularly examples in Europe.
Action research – Planning Secondary research
Hıgher Educatıon in Britain, Austria, Germany and Switzerland
Secondary
2. To study the demands and requirements of different stakeholders to include GAU, GAU students, accrediting bodies and sector representatives.
Action research – Planning and action Secondary research Primary research Semi-structured
interviews
Teaching in GAU STHM Accrediting bodies, GAU Sectoral representatives: Hoteliers Association President Travel Agencies Association President Restaurateurs Association President Students in the two-year
programme
Existing programmes Existing rules, regulations
and report feedback Qualitative:
Summary of skills and theoretical requirements for future employees
Summary of theoretical, skill-based and social expectations from future employees
3. To study how the North Cyprus education system – with its “hard” and “soft” factors – fits in.
Action research – Action Secondary research Research from websites, informal interviews
TRNC Education Ministry and representatives, chambers of commerce for businesses and shopkeepers, and representatives
Qualitative summary of hard and soft factors related to the subject area
4. To develop and adopt an apprenticeship-style programme that fulfils the requirements of all stakeholders.
Action research – Action Committee focus group Semi-structured
ıntervıews wıth students
Accrediting body representative, GAU and Middlesex University Sectorial representatives: Hoteliers Association President Travel Agencies Association
President
Restaurateurs Association President
Students in the two-year programme
Qualitative:
Summary of skills and theoretical requirements for future employees
Summary of theoretical, skill-based and social expectations from future employees
5. To create awareness of a “new” style of education in North Cyprus that can be used as a model nationally.
Action research – Monitoring and reflection
Committee focus group
Accrediting body representative and GAU
Sectorial representatives: Hoteliers Association President Travel Agencies Association
President
Restaurateurs Association President
Students
As outlined in Table 3.1, I intend to adopt AR within the overall qualitative research framework because I am concerned with various stakeholders’ views and opinions. My project design is proposed to be conducted in the Action Research Cycle Model, as in Figure 3.6:
As seen above, a variety of stakeholders will be interviewed in the AR cycle, requiring qualitative research and inter-dynamic networking.
CONSTRUCT
Secondary Research on:
1. Current programmes, rules and regulations at GAU STHM 2. Rules and regulations with YOK, YODAK
3. TEDQUAL, rules and regulations
4. Sectorial research conducted in the area
5. Letters to sector inviting them for research participation
PLAN ACTION
Primary research (methodology) & applying the programme:
1. In-depth interviews with stakeholders a. Academic responsible persons at GAU b. Accrediting bodies
c. GAU STHM students in two-year programme
d. Sector representatives 2. Semi-structured interviews of key
stakeholders 3. Design a focus group
TAKE ACTION
Design the programme Conduct a focus group
EVALUATE ACTION
Feedback on designed programme: 1. Stakeholders
a. Academic responsible persons at GAU b. Accrediting bodies
c. GAU STHM students in two-yearprogramme d. Sector representatives
2. Revise programme for feedback
3. Adopt the new programme