Business Research

This reflective report discusses the learning and insights gained from a business research project on outsourcing the business function. It covers topics such as topic approval, literature review, research methodology, and writing up the project report.

Running head: BUSINESS RESEARCH
Business Research

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Introduction
In this reflective report, my learning related to some aspects would be discussed. This
reflective report illustrates the knowledge in the context of some aspects such as
introduction, search process in the literature reviews, data analysis, as well as, writing
up project report. This reflective report takes into consideration the research experience;
insights gained as well as, teamwork.
1. Topic Approval
Topic Identification
From this project report, I have gained my learning about the strategy of detecting the
feasible topics. My team members have supported me in addressing suitable topics. In
this way, I have focused on current trends in business development. This helps in
choosing an appropriate topic i.e. outsourcing the business function (Bell, Bryman, and
Harley, 2018).
Problem definition
I have increased my learning regarding defining the problem from business research
course. Due to this course, I was able to define the needs of outsourcing the business
function in the company. Throughout the business research, I have effectively illustrated
the problem in an effective manner.
Research question
This research project was effective for me in terms of identifying research question. It
was also beneficial in my research study in terms of developing a significant research
question. This research question would be beneficial for me to gain the depth
understanding regarding outsourcing the business function (William, James, and Arora,
2015).
Writing of topic approval submission
Business research was beneficial for me to write the topic approval submission. I have
selected a feasible topic that helps in approval submission.
2. The literature review
Search process
The understanding gained by me with respect to search procedure during course of
business research was related to different databases. In this way, I have learned that
there are different databases to search for the process. These databases are Google
scholar, Springer, ScienceDirect, ACE, IEEE, and Online Wiley. In my group, we were
three team members where, a responsibility of each member was different from each
others. My role in my team was to categorise the data on the basis of their relevancy.
This experience was suitable to me in searching the information in future (Zikmund,
2012).
Summarising relevant articles
I have developed my understanding in the way of summarising feasible articles at the
time of business research course. In the research project, I have focused on key
elements related to the research topic in order to summarise the relevant articles. This
was beneficial for me to gain depth understanding associated with outsourcing the
business function.
Designing the outline of the literature review
I have developed my understanding with respect to designing the outline of literature
review from research project. In this way, I have learned that literature review should be

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categorized into different parts as per the research topic. I have applied this learning
into designing the outline of the literature review (Liu, Wang, and Huang, 2017).
Writing up the literature review
In writing up the literature review, I have developed my understanding regarding the
ways to write an effective literature review. From research project, I have observed that
proper references should be provided to give creditability to the author who has
provided information regarding outsourcing the business function (Sivakumar, Kannan,
and Murugesan, 2015).
3. Research methodology
Discussions about methods
Business research course was beneficial for me to gain depth understanding regarding
the data collection methods. In this way, I have learned the primary data could be
gathered through survey questionnaire and interview. Along with this, secondary data
can be collected through a literature review. This could be beneficial for gathering the
reliable and valid information associated with outsourcing the business function
(Wachira, Brookes, and Haines, 2016).
Sampling
Business research course was effective for me to increase the depth understanding
regarding the sampling. In such manner, I have pointed that different methods of
sampling could be applied in research projects like probability as well as, non-probability
sampling tools. I have implemented this learning into my research project. In this
investigation, I have applied simple random probability sampling tool with the intention
of randomly select the sample through high amount of populations. I have also
increased my experience regarding selecting the sample size and applied same in a
current research study (Dinu, 2015).
Questionnaire
I have built my knowledge about questionnaire structure throughout business research.
It also enhances my learning that Google form could be applied with the intention of
filling the questionnaire. Moreover, different kinds of the questionnaire like open-ended
and close-ended questionnaire structure was observed by me during attending business
research course. This experience has contributed by me in developing the
questionnaire related to outsourcing the business function issues (Zhang, Zhao, and Xu,
2016).
Data analysis and interpretation
Business research course helps me to analyze the data through different techniques
such as content data analysis, thematic analysis, and statistical data analysis method. I
have applied this learning into analyzing the data through statistical data analysis
method. In research project, I have used Ms-excel software to interpret the data through
different charts, and graphs.
4. Distilling the findings from the data
This research project helps me to comprehend the ways of discussing the findings
through data. In this way, I have discussed the findings on the basis of analyzed data as
well as, it was supported by me through literature reviews as it was supportive for me to
get reliable data about outsourcing the business function (Wachira, Brookes, and
Haines, 2016).
5. Writing up the Project Report

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I have learned about the effective writing up the project report during the business
research. In this way, I have taken into consideration the plagiarism issues, grammatical
errors, and references issues. It was supportive of effectively write-up the project report
(Sivakumar, Kannan, and Murugesan, 2015).
6. Reflecting on the research experience, insights gained, teamwork
Business research course has increased my research experience about different
concepts such as developing research questions, aim and objectives, and research
rationale. In addition to this, this business research project has gained my insights in the
context of literature review, research methodology, and results and discussion. In my
group, we were 3 members where, each team member has contributed to obtain
reliable results associated with outsourcing the business function (Wachira, Brookes,
and Haines, 2016).
Conclusion
Throughout the business research course and research project, there were different
aspects that help me to gain depth understanding such as topic approval, literature
review, and research methodology. This research project also increased my experience
related to investigation in the context of outsourcing the business function. I have also
developed my learning in the context of building research experience, insights gained
and, teamwork.

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References
Bell, E., Bryman, A. and Harley, B., 2018. Business research methods. USA: Oxford
university press.
Dinu, A.M., 2015. The risks and benefits of outsourcing. Knowledge Horizons.
Economics, 7(2), p.103.
Liu, S., Wang, L. and Huang, W.W., 2017. Effects of process and outcome controls on
business process outsourcing performance: Moderating roles of vendor and client
capability risks. European Journal of Operational Research, 260(3), pp.1115-1128.
Sivakumar, R., Kannan, D. and Murugesan, P., 2015. Green vendor evaluation and
selection using AHP and Taguchi loss functions in production outsourcing in the mining
industry. Resources Policy, 46, pp.64-75.
Wachira, W., Brookes, M. and Haines, R., 2016. Viewing the impact of outsourcing from
a Kenyan perspective. Asian Journal of Management Science and Economics, 3(1),
pp.24-43.
William, T., James, P. and Arora, K. 2015. Research Methods: The essential knowledge
base. 2nd edn. USA: Cengage.
Zhang, Y., Zhao, S. and Xu, X., 2016. Business model innovation: an integrated
approach based on elements and functions. Information Technology and
Management, 17(3), pp.303-310.
Zikmund, W. G. 2012. Business Research Methods. 9th edn. USA: Cengage.