TASK 1 HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Group 1
Name Student’s ID Contribution
Nguyễn Mạnh Tùng 31231020536 100%
(Leader)
Nguyễn Phạm Minh Huy 31231020598 100%
Nguyễn Minh Dũng 31231021803 100%
Lê Khang 31231026030 100%
1. Research Topic
A research topic is the central subject, issue, or problem that a researcher chooses to study in
depth. It provides the foundation for the entire research process, shaping the research
questions, determining the methodology, and guiding the analysis and interpretation of
findings. A well-chosen research topic is specific enough to allow focused investigation,
significant enough to contribute to existing knowledge or address societal needs, and
feasible within the researcher’s available resources, time, and skills.
The importance of selecting the right research topic cannot be overstated. The topic not only
determines the scope and direction of the study but also influences its potential impact,
relevance, and academic value. It helps define what is to be studied, why it matters, and how
the research will be approached. Topics can be inspired by theoretical interests, current
issues, recent technological or social changes, unexplored areas of knowledge, or practical
problems that need solutions.
How to Identify a Research Topic
Identifying a suitable research topic involves several key steps:
1. Assess your interests and strengths
Choose an area that genuinely interests you, as this will sustain motivation
throughout the project. Aligning the topic with your existing skills or background
knowledge can also make the research process smoother.
2. Review existing literature
Read widely in your field to understand what has already been studied, what
conclusions have been drawn, and where disagreements or uncertainties remain. This
helps in identifying gaps in knowledge.
3. Consider current trends and issues
Look at recent developments in your discipline or in society that could open new
areas of inquiry. This ensures your topic is relevant and timely.
4. Identify gaps or unanswered questions
From your literature review, note areas where existing studies are incomplete,
outdated, or inconclusive. These gaps often present opportunities for original
research.
5. Evaluate feasibility
Make sure the topic can be researched with the resources, time, and data available to
you. Consider ethical constraints, funding, and accessibility of information.
6. Consult experts or supervisors
Discuss your ideas with academic mentors or professionals in the field. Their
feedback can help refine the topic and ensure it is academically sound.
By following these steps, researchers can narrow broad areas of interest into a precise,
meaningful, and manageable research topic.
2. Literature Review / Literature Survey
A literature review is a structured and critical analysis of existing research related to the
chosen topic. Its main objectives are to provide an overview of what is already known,
identify key themes and trends, highlight areas of agreement and disagreement among
researchers, and point out gaps that justify the need for further study.
Conducting a literature review involves a systematic process:
1. Define and narrow the research question
Ensure the scope is clear and specific. For example, instead of “Climate change,” a
focused question might be “The impact of climate change on coffee production in
East Africa from 2000 to 2020.”
2. Search for relevant sources
Use appropriate academic databases such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, Scopus, or
PubMed. Apply keywords, Boolean operators (AND, OR), and filters for publication
year, language, and document type.
3. Select quality studies
Apply inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure only relevant and reliable research is
used. Poorly designed or unrelated studies should be excluded.
4. Critically evaluate each source
Assess the research methodology, sample size, location, validity, and potential biases.
Avoid relying solely on abstracts or titles.
5. Organize the literature
Group studies by theme, research method, or chronological order to show
relationships and progression in the field.
6. Write the review
Synthesize the findings, showing where most researchers agree, where they differ,
and what remains unknown. This creates a logical basis for your own research.
7. Be transparent
In systematic reviews, document exactly how sources were searched, filtered, and
selected to ensure reproducibility and credibility.
A well-executed literature review demonstrates that the researcher understands the current
state of knowledge, avoids duplicating previous studies, and positions their work within the
broader academic conversation.
References:
Lingnan University. (n.d.). How to formulate a research topic. Lingnan University.
University of Arizona Libraries. (n.d.). Conduct a literature review. University of Arizona.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center. (n.d.). Literature reviews.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
