Research Reflection Report - Guidelines for the Report

Research Reflection Report (Assignment Format) – Guidelines for the Report
RESEARCH REFLECTION
REPORT
(should contain the details given below) Please type your responses in the spaces below:
Marks
available
1. Research Methods &
Processes
How and why have you chosen/decided
on the research methods and processes
which you are using/have used for the
development of your Major Project?
How would you describe these to:
1) a reader of your Major Project and/or
2) a future employer
(max. 275 words)
Research methods play a vital role in the
accomplishment of a research project. For the
development of major project, which is
business plan, various research methods have
been utilized. Selection of appropriate research
methods was an important aspect. The research
methods were decided after evaluating all the
available alternatives. Various research designs,
data collection and analysis methods,
qualitative and quantitative techniques were
studied. The strengths and limitations of each
of these methods were determined. After
gaining knowledge about the various research
techniques, evaluation was done regarding their
suitability for the business plan. All the
available research designs were studied. After
this, exploratory design was chosen to be used
for carrying out the research for the proposed
business of patisserie restaurant. This is
because it seemed to be the most suitable after
considering its strengths and limitations.
Similarly, primary and secondary data
collection methods were studied. After
evaluating both the methods, it was decided
that secondary data collection would be more
suitable for the business plan. Hence,
secondary data was collected for the present
research.
The research methods and processes which
were chosen for this business were decided
because they were capable of accomplishing
the purpose of the research. In the proposed
business plan, research was to be carried for
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the purpose of finding out the trends and
customer preferences regarding patisseries in
London. This was required so as to assure that
the proposed business plan is feasible. Hence,
for this, secondary data collection methods
were found to be appropriate. Furthermore,
exploratory design was chosen because there
was a need to learn more about the concept
which blended restaurant and patisserie shop.
This could be done in a better way by using
exploratory design.
2. Literature & sources
1) What are the most important
theories/literature sources /evidence
sources which you are using to justify
your research and your Major Project?
2) Why are these sources important and
fundamental to your work?
(max. 275words)
Various literature sources were used for
justifying the research and business plan.
Literature and sources are important aspects
while carrying out a research. This is because
these help in gaining information about the
subject matter. Further, these also assist in
obtaining useful information which leads to
accomplishments of research objectives. While
carrying out the research for the present
business plan, a wide range of literature and
sources were utilized. Data was obtained from
journal articles, books, government reports,
online blogs and articles. Journals and books
provided information about starting up a
restaurant business. These also contained large
amount of data on patisserie shops and their
operations. Further, various government reports
provided important information about the
industry such as the restaurant sector and the
bakery industry. These reports contained
detailed information about the trends in
restaurant sector. They also highlighted
customers preferences, their spending patterns,
there liking for eating out, their taste regarding
sweet bakery items etc.
These sources which were used were important
and fundamental to the proposed business plan.
This is because they helped in carrying out
secondary research. With the help of these
sources, the researcher was able to obtain the
required information for the business plan. The
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sources such as journals and books were
important as they informed the researcher
about the various aspects that are to be
considered before starting up a new business.
These also provided knowledge and learning
about becoming and successful entrepreneur.
Further, journals and books were fundamental
to this research as with them the researcher was
able to learn about factors which may influence
a new business start up. Online articles and
blogs were useful in providing information
about patisserie shops and French pastries
which are in demand in London.
3. Your Knowledge
What key areas of knowledge have you
gained from undertaking your research
and the Major Project?
Indicate why these are so important to
you?
(max. 200 words)
A research project helped in development of
various areas of knowledge. Similarly, while
carrying out the present business plan, there
were various areas of knowledge that were
gained. I gained knowledge about various
aspects which are important to be considered
while starting up a new business. These
included human resource, financial, physical
resource considerations. Another key area of
learning was related to research methods. I
gained knowledge about various research
methods, their strengths and limitations.
Further, I also learnt to choose the most
appropriate method after evaluating the
available alternatives. The details about
exploratory design were studied by me. I also
learnt about various methods of data collection.
Development of reading skills is another key
area of knowledge that was enhanced. While
evaluating various secondary sources of data
such as journals, books, online articles, blogs,
etc., I learnt about techniques such as
skimming reading.
Further, the business plan informed me about
restaurant sector of UK and trends associated
with it. This was a key knowledge area that
was developed from undertaking research for
the proposed business plan. I learnt about the
operational activities of a restaurant business.
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