RESEARCH IS TO SEE WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SEEN, AND TO THINK WHAT NOBODY ELSE HAS THOUGHT.

The quote from Albert Szent-Gyorgyi encapsulates my sentiment on scholarship. Research experience for me has been limited, mostly collaborating on portions of larger projects. Since entering this program and learning various methodologies, theories, and frameworks, my interest in research and actively discovering new ideas and concepts have been ignited. Research for me begins with reading what others have written and trying to analyze it from a different perspective or asking questions in a different way.     

When I was in elementary school, my parents purchased an Encyclopedia Britannica; yes, my learning began with only books as a resource. Included with these fine books was another set, a series entitled "Why Ask Why." Each book had poems or essays investigating a different topic. The books allowed me to go on journeys of discovery without even knowing I was learning something new every time a page was turned; so intriguing.     

The qualities of a good researcher include being inquisitive, open-minded, and patient, among others (Chukwuemeka, 2021). Inspirations for the research ideas in this program thus far have come through questions that arise from the material and concepts presented in the coursework. For example, in the Technology Sustainability course, we discussed technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK), which, for me, was a new concept. There were assigned readings as part of the assignment, but I wanted to see more perspectives. How can this concept be used in a business environment? Can the idea be revised to create a framework for sourcing technology for a hotel and then develop complementary training?   

 A primary goal of my research is to become a resource for the hospitality industry by providing viable solutions to the challenges being faced. Well-designed professional development can provide skills necessary for employees to advance in their careers. The training can offer learning opportunities that can address employee turnover intention. My research interests would focus beyond coursework and ways to capture knowledge that can be used to create new learning opportunities for employees. The literature reviews included as primary evidence focus on identifying the learning and development needs in the hospitality industry. In the "Experience of Furloughed Hospitality Workers During COVID-19" review, the focus is whether lack of effective learning and development is why employees leave. A study would start with a need assessment and how to address these in an intelligent learning environment. In the second review, "Increasing Employee Retention in the Hospitality Industry: Examining the Use of Connectivism Learning Theory in the Onboarding Process", the use of a digital learning theory is discussed to address training and development at the onset - onboarding. Combined the literature reviews and the manuscript "Knowledge Systems Design (KSD): Rebranding the Field of Instructional Technology in the Education and Professional Development Community", have given me the opportunity to further explore my area of interest.