Business Research Methodology Report: Process, Strategy, and Analysis

This report details a student's comprehensive journey through a business research methodology course, outlining the learning process across twelve weeks. The student meticulously documents the application of various research methods, starting with the formulation of research strategies and objectives, progressing through literature reviews, ethical considerations, and research design. The report highlights the importance of both qualitative and quantitative research, covering sampling techniques, data collection methods like interviews and questionnaires, and data analysis procedures. The student demonstrates an understanding of ethical practices, the use of secondary data, and the integration of mixed methods. The report emphasizes practical application, from structured interviewing to content analysis, demonstrating a thorough grasp of the research process and its complexities. The student's reflection on each week's learning provides valuable insights into the practical challenges and the importance of each step in conducting effective business research.

Running head: BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Business Research Methodology
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

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Table of Contents
Week 1.............................................................................................................................................2
Week 2.............................................................................................................................................2
Week 3.............................................................................................................................................2
Week 4.............................................................................................................................................3
Week 5.............................................................................................................................................3
Week 6.............................................................................................................................................4
Week 7.............................................................................................................................................4
Week 8.............................................................................................................................................5
Week 9.............................................................................................................................................5
Week 10...........................................................................................................................................5
Week 11...........................................................................................................................................6
Week 12...........................................................................................................................................6
References.......................................................................................................................................7

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Week 1
The nature, process and strategy of business research
During the learning process, my guide instructed me to fix a strategy beforehand to carry
out the research efficiently and systematically. This is a very important aspect in life. A well
planned strategy helps to perform any task or job in a proper methodical manner (Taylor, Bogdan
& DeVault, 2015). Therefore, before starting the research study, I framed the aims and objectives
of the research and followed the descriptive pragmatic research approach. I chose a sample size,
techniques, data collection and analysis method.
Week 2
Research design and planning the research process
For the research proposal, my guide also instructed that I must narrow down on the
research topic and the research strategy should based on the narrowed topic. This is due to the
reason that, it is not possible to carry out the whole research on a very broad and general topic
(Flick, 2015). Therefore, I chose the topic ‘Business Outsourcing’, keeping relevance with my
course of study of management. The research process was helpful in enhancing my learning
experience on this particular topic.
Based on that, I have designed the objectives and other factors of the research.
Week 3
Literature Review and Writing Business Research

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Literature review is a very vital part of any research paper. Smith (2015) says that it is
helpful in introducing the research subject to the readers. I had to read a vast level of literature on
the relevant topics and methods of business outsourcing and its impacts on the international
business. This knowledge can be applied to conduct and write the research paper. Through this
learning process, I gained knowledge on how to apply the literature into the research study. Thus,
I hope that this would make the research process and analyzing process of business outsourcing
easier for me.
Week 4
Ethics and Legal Consideration in Business Research
I got to know through the learning procedure that maintaining the ethics strictly is
extremely important for any research study. Unethical practices might lead to serious
consequences in the future for the researcher (Mackey & Gass, 2015). The knowledge on legal
considerations and ethical practices would be helpful during the research process to maintain the
originality of my research paper. To write the paper on business outsourcing, I had to read many
books, journal articles, had to browse many online sites, databases etc. However, I ensured that I
maintain my originality and do not indulge in any unethical means to write my paper.
Week 5
The Nature of qualitative research, sampling and participant observation
For descriptive research, the choice of a proper sample size and technique, and
observation of the participants are very important. At the same time, the setting of a proper
strategy is also very important too (Silverman, 2016). To gather the knowledge on the perception

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on business outsourcing, I prepared a questionnaire and chose a sample size of 50 employees of
Aegis for the case study. I made this questionnaire with few interesting questions, and also made
easy interview questions for three managers of Aegis, so that they do not hesitate to share some
of their valuable time. I used non-probability sampling techniques for both types of data
collection.
Week 6
Interviewing, Focus Groups and Language in qualitative research
Through the learning procedure, I gained knowledge on the focus groups. It is very
important for any research topic. In this case, the new entrepreneurs of the nation and business
students are the focus groups. For conducting the research, I had to talk to many employees and
three managers of Aegis. It has helped in gathering the knowledge on the perception of the
people regarding business outsourcing processes. It is also helpful in knowing how the business
outsourcing has affected the regular functioning of the organizations. Hence, the language used
in the interview and survey questionnaire was easy to understand, so that the respondents can
understand the questions.
Week 7
Qualitative Data Analysis
I got to know more about the qualitative data analysis process during the learning
process. I learnt that primary data requires qualitative analysis. It helps in visual representation of
the data in an attractive manner (Gast & Ledford, 2014). I was taught by my guide on how to
apply the qualitative data analysis on the collected data. It is not only about data collection;

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rather incorporating those data into the research study in a proper manner is important. The
relation between the primary data and research topic must be relevant to get a more precise
conclusion.
Week 8
The Nature and Sampling in Quantitative Research
I also learnt about quantitative research and data analysis process during this research
study. I learnt how to apply the statistical tools on the survey data, how the data should be
presented by using various statistical tools and methods, and get the findings. My guide taught
me to do simple random sampling to minimize the error in the data. To know the impact of
business outsourcing, the quantitative analysis on the survey responses and secondary data are
more relevant (Panneerselvam, 2014).
Week 9
Structured Interviewing and Questionary Design
I got to learn that, interview processes should follow a proper structure and the questions
should be relevant and interlinked. I learnt to make the structure so that one can easily get to the
conclusion from the responses (). If the questions are not framed and designed properly, then
desired result might not be obtained. It should be made in a way so that people answer the
questions willingly. Then only the proper scenario can be visible.
Week 10
Structured Observation and Content Analysis

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My observation power has improved through this learning process for the research study.
According to Flick (2015), a researcher must be observant and understand the attitude of the
respondents. This helps in understanding that if they are responding willingly or not. It creates a
big difference. Unwilling participants often tend to provide incorrect answers. This does not help
in getting a desired result for the study (Smith, 2015). Hence, I can say that my observation
power has improved.
Week 11
Secondary Analysis and Quantitative Data Analysis
In the 11th week, I was taught that quantitative data analysis should be applied on
secondary data (Taylor, Bogdan & DeVault, 2015). As I collected secondary data on the business
outsourcing in the economy of Australia and the status of the outsourcing businesses in the
country from various authentic websites, journals and books, I was taught how to apply
quantitative data analysis on those data. It helped me to gain a new insight about the research
method and data analysis. In my future works, I hope to include quantitative data analysis more
easily.
Week 12
Mixed methods research: combining quantitative and qualitative research
Finally, the learning experience is beneficial for me as I learnt about the mixing of
qualitative and quantitative research method into one research paper. In this way, both the
descriptive and quantitative aspects of a research topic can be explored in a proper manner.

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However, my present research topic mainly focuses on the perception of people, therefore, the
qualitative analysis is more important than the quantitative analysis.

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References
Flick, U. (2015). Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Gast, D. L., & Ledford, J. R. (Eds.). (2014). Single case research methodology: Applications in
special education and behavioral sciences. Routledge.
Mackey, A., & Gass, S. M. (2015). Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Panneerselvam, R. (2014). Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
Silverman, D. (Ed.). (2016). Qualitative research. Sage.
Smith, J. A. (Ed.). (2015). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., & DeVault, M. (2015). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.