Research Tips
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Research Tips
- Start with journals. They provide high-quality research articles specific to the hospitality industry. Browse current issues or keyword search for topics of interest.
- Use databases to expand your search. Search for specific keywords and set limits for publication date, subject terms, and format types to avoid outdated, irrelevant, or general audience results.
- Meet with a librarian. Research should be challenging - but not frustrating! Save time and stress by meeting with a research coach.
Journals and Industry Research
- Cornell Hospitality QuarterlyBrowse latest articles or current issue, or keyword search to identify current trends in HM. A peer reviewed journal publishing scholarship on HM published in association with the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.
- CHR Research ReportsApplied research reports from faculty and affiliates of the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research.
- International Journal of Hospitality ManagementBrowse latest articles or issues, or keyword search to identify current trends in HM. A peer reviewed journal publishing scholarship on HM.
- International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality ManagementBrowse current issues or search within this publication. Use Get It! Penn State to request full-text articles for free via interlibrary loan (ILL).
Databases
- SAGE Business Cases This link opens in a new windowClick to browse the Human Resource Management subject area and then use the Search Within Results tool to narrow results to the hospitality industry. Useful examples of case studies in the business domain.
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowAcademic, trade, and news literature for the business domain.
Example subject terms: hospitality industry; hospitality industry management; personnel management; human capital; hotel employees; turnover (business); employment interviewing; onboarding (management coaching) - Academic Search Complete (Ebsco) This link opens in a new windowAn all-purpose academic research database useful for finding scholarly articles (if you don't find what you need in the business databases).
Not finding what you need?
The following research guides point to additional journals and databases for research in hospitality management and human resources.
Literature Review Tips
1. Gather relevant sources. Review article abstracts (summaries) to consider how thoroughly an article addresses your case study topic. Collect and organize articles in a dedicated place - an email folder, thumb drive, or in the cloud. This will also help when it is time to cite your sources.
2. Read actively. Take notes when reading online, or print hard copies for highlighting, annotating, or flagging sections with sticky notes. Ask:
- What are the common themes?
- What problems or challenges do the authors identify, and what solutions do they propose?
- What underlying theories, best practices, or management strategies are discussed?
3. Say something new. A literature review does more than establish the background of a case - it also identifies a new area for study. Explain how your case study builds on prior work rather than recycling it by identifying the gaps or limitations of prior research. Synthesize information from your sources by summarizing and paraphrasing, and use direct quotation sparingly (if at all!).
4. Meet with the Writing Center. Get expert feedback on your writing and source use. Visit the Writing Center's website to learn more and book an appointment: https://berks.psu.edu/writing-center
5. Cite your sources. Find APA Style formatting guidelines in the APA Quick Guide: http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/apaquickguide
