The Nature, Process and Strategy of Business Research
The effectiveness of the Learning Experience
|
Week |
Topics scheduled |
Reflection |
|
1 |
The nature, process and strategy of business research |
I learned that business research serves various purposes aimed at improving the business environment. Businesses which are established use research strategies in the determination of their success in new geographic regions, selecting product marketing approaching or assessing competitors (Qaisar & Khawaja, 2012 p.1325). To achieve this, businesses can employ various methods of research. |
|
2 |
Research design and planning the research process |
I learned how to plan for the research by incorporating all requirements needed throughout the research process. |
|
3 |
Literature Review and Writing Business Research |
The study of literature review in writing business research helped me understand that it is a type of review article which is a scholarly paper and includes the methodological and theoretical contributions to a certain topic and the substantive findings brought about by the current knowledge. |
|
4 |
Ethics and Legal Consideration in Business Research |
I learned that business research also implements ethical and legal considerations during the process of collecting data. For example, it is ethical to request a formal permission from authorities before undertaking the process of interviewing and distributing questionnaires to target groups. |
|
5 |
The nature of qualitative research, sampling and participant observation |
I learned that participant observation is a method of data collection mostly used in qualitative research. The method is a highly used methodology in various disciplines including social psychology, human geography, communication studies, sociology, European ethnology, and cultural anthropology. |
|
6 |
Interviewing, Focus Groups and Language in qualitative research |
I learned how I could interact with target audiences or focus groups and carry out interviews in an ethical manner. Furthermore, I learned how to segment customers according to their needs. Through identification of the focus groups I learned, it becomes easier to segment a population on demographic areas, geographic areas and behaviors (Angulo, Pergelova and Rialp 2010 p.1). |
|
7 |
Qualitative Data Analysis |
Learning about qualitative data analysis assisted me in understanding that it is the range of procedures and processes where the researcher moves from the collected qualitative data to explaining, understanding and interpreting the situations and people being investigated. |
|
8 |
Nature and Sampling in Quantitative Research |
This week, I learned how to choose the best sampling method like random sampling and stratified sampling for conducting research. Furthermore, I learned how to carry out a survey with a high and low population of respondents. |
|
9 |
Structured Interviewing and Questionnaire Design |
I understood that questionnaires and interviewing are a series of questions asked to respondents and used to obtain information about a given topic which is statistically useful on a given topic. Questionnaires are closed and open-ended structured used in different research methods (Griffith, Cavusgil & Xu, 2008 p.1230). |
|
10 |
Structured Observation and Content Analysis |
The topic was not easy for me but I ended up learning about observation method that involves the gathering of data from the population without directly involving the participants (Siemsen, Roth and Oliveira, 2010 p.456). I also learned how to analyze the data collected through observation method for the conclusion and recommendation. |
|
11 |
Secondary Analysis and Quantitative Data Analysis |
I learned that secondary analysis is when a different researcher re-analyzes data collected in a previous study. Quantitative data analysis is an approach which systematically investigates collected investigations transforms them into numerical data (Hair et al., 2014 p.117). |
|
12 |
Mixed methods research: combining quantitative and qualitative research |
I learned how to combine both qualitative and quantitative data for drawing a conclusion. I also noted the difference between qualitative and quantitative data as I learned that quantitative data exist inform of numeric while qualitative data is summarized in forms of tables, graphs and charts (Brannen, 2017 p. 3) |
The business research will assist me in getting facts and solutions to business problems through methodical and systematic investigation. In addition, business research will also assist me in increasing my knowledge through organized inquiries. Furthermore, I acquired knowledge which will assist me in solving different issues in my environment including finance, production, marketing, human relations, health problems and socio-economic issues. Business research knowledge will also assist me in getting answers to industrial and societal problems. As a student, the knowledge will assist me in applying the theory too and analyzing diverse general issues. Moreover, knowledge of business research has enabled me to be able to select a research problem and be able to independently investigate the problem.
During the learning process, various activities took place in which some I saw and heard while I read others to gain more information. The main objective of the learning process was to get first-hand information from what I saw being demonstrated from my lecture, keenly paying attention to what was being taught and later on practice them by undertaking a deep research study. During the learning process, I read and saw the lecture notes in forms of slides and pdf. Furthermore, I also read information from websites, research databases, books and peer-reviewed journals. I saw various YouTube videos on various research process topics and took short notes of what I saw being important to me for comparison with lecture notes. In addition, it is through the incorporation of these research information from the different sources that assisted me to complete assessment 1 and 2 effectively.
Being involved in business research has assisted me in classifying and identifying diversity learning methods which are dissimilar. In addition, I am able to recognize unusual methods of solving problems relating to organizations and the identification of suitable learning modes and learning styles available for the improvement of the learning experience design. In addition, the studies of business research have assisted me in gaining statistical power important for the planning for the size of samples before data gathering for the evaluation of statistical hypotheses. Statistical power assists in calculating the sample size and statistical testing of various hypotheses through the use of analysis of variance and structural equation modeling. A plan for personal development is fundamental for the career journey of graduates. During my module study, I acquired thorough knowledge about Business Research and the diversity of skills needed to be an everyday independent researcher. Furthermore, I have learned various techniques and social research methods and I can use them in addressing questions in business settings and management.
Research Design and Planning the Research Process
My learning process was full of inspiration after completing my lessons. It connected me with new insights into the research process and acted as my guide. The insights encouraged me to develop a feeling that I should undertake an assessment activity and reflect what I have learned in the paper. In order to assess my learning process, I did assessment 1 and 2 which concluded that I have fully understood the research process.
Environmental research is an important aspect of everyday decision making (Chrisman et al., 2008 p.927). Learning about business research will assist me in finding out the wrong information and saving time and money. The application of business research is important in solving challenges in business and decision-making with profitable or immediate concern. In business, there is the risk of decision making without data backup. Therefore, I will be in a position to identify, collect and backup business data or information which will assist me in understanding how the knowledge of business research has impacted my everyday business decision making.
Conclusion
The paper has outlined the research process, key terms and important aspects of business research that need to be followed when developing a research paper. The information and skills I gained by conducting a deep research on books, journals and other secondary sources have enhanced my capabilities to know methods which can assist me in conducting a research study. Furthermore, the experience has enabled me to find the objectives of the study, conclusion and recommendation. By determining the research questions, I am able to draw variables and hypothesis on the study. All the information I have gained in the learning process is essential in my future career as it will assist me in planning businesses, managing finances, formulating effective strategies and decisions and evaluating business ideas. Furthermore, the research has brainstormed me to become familiar with the business process, market trends, opportunities, threats and compliances that are useful in my career. Generally, the research will help me to assess my capabilities and skills.
References
Angulo, F., Pergelova, A. and Rialp, J., 2010. A market segmentation approach for higher education based on rational and emotional factors. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education.1st ed. pp.1-17. Newyork: Elsevier Publishers
Brannen, J., 2017. Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches: an overview. In Mixing methods: Qualitative and quantitative research (pp. 3-37). U.S. A: Routledge.
Chrisman, J.J., Chua, J.H., Kellermanns, F.W., Matherne III, C.F. and Debicki, B.J., 2008. Management journals as venues for publication of family business research. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice. 5th ed. United States: John Wiley & Sons, pp.927-934.
Griffith, D.A., Cavusgil, S.T. and Xu, S., 2008. Emerging themes in international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 39(7), pp.1220-1235.
Hair Jr, J. F., Sarstedt, M., Hopkins, L. and G. Kuppelwieser, V., 2014. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) An emerging tool in business research. European Business Review. 2nd ed. United States: emerald Insight, pp.106-121.
Qaisar, S. and Khawaja, K.F., 2012. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business. Cloud Computing: Network/Security Threats and Countermeasures. 3rd ed. Germany: Elsevier, pp.1323-1329.
Siemsen, E., Roth, A. and Oliveira, P., 2010. Common method bias in regression models with linear, quadratic, and interaction effects. Organizational research methods.3rd ed. U.S. A: Sage publishers pp.456-476.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
