As our world become increasingly complex, the need for critical thinkers and researchers increase. People want to understand certain changes in their world and phenomena as it occurs. The academic community requires that some type of theory be linked to any type of understanding used to explain certain occurrences. Gray (2004) noted that “a theory consists of a set of interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions that demonstrate relationships between variables” (p. 11).

As a graduate student, you have been required to conduct research in terms of synthesis of research studies, analysis of the findings, and evaluation any possible linkages, generalizations, and/or provide possible recommendations or suggestions for the area(s) being studied. To demonstrate your ability to conduct research, you will need to exhibit your research skills and abilities in the form of a mini-research project. Your mini-research project will focus on the impact of the swine flu pandemic on the tourist industry either in the U.S. or Europe.

In this research project, you will write up a research problem statement to guide you on this research endeavor. With this research problem statement, you are to develop a mini-research project to demonstrate your ability to critically think through a problem situation in today’s marketplace. The format of the mini-research project shall be as follows:
Title
Problem Statement
Theoretical framework
Research questions or propositions
Methodology and/or research design with limitations
Results and findings
Conclusions and recommendations

How would this research contribute to new knowledge in your field? Since this research project will not actually be conducted, you may approach this mini-research project from the perspective of a research study proposal. However, you should consider any possible or anticipated results and findings, as well as conclusions and recommendations. Finally, you should include how the research would contribute to new knowledge in one’s field of study. You will need to do an in-depth Internet search on these topics in order to create a fully-developed mini-research project. You will need to include in-text citations and a references list for external references used in supporting your points for this question.