BS4S14 Research Methods

Reflective Account

This article is a descriptive text of my success in the undertaking the research project.   The subjects I expect to address include the importance of appraisal reviews in promoting progress and acknowledging the aspects of my learning which need to be strengthened, the degree to which I have gained essential practical skills, a review of sessions with my professional improvement tutor, and concerns surrounding my effective development. Eventually, suggestions for future growth will be described, along with recommendations for how to resolve them, many of which will lead individual as well as career development. The intention of such a reflective report is to analyse the approach and steps taken for undertaking market study, as well as individual analytical choices, selected hypotheses and frameworks, evaluate the strengths and shortcomings, and discuss potential improvements. The journal aided me in reporting and commenting on the research methods and important moves. There can be no development from experience until there is contemplation (Karnieli-Miller, 2020). It is possible that simply witnessing something would be ineffective until it is followed by contemplation on that encounter. An experience that is not commented on is quickly overlooked and constitutes a wasted learning opportunity.

A reflexive orientation to the analysis methodology is still generally acknowledged in most research design. Investigators are encouraged to discuss themselves, including “their underlying assumptions, decisions, perspectives, and behavior throughout the assessment phase” (Mruck & Breuer, 2003, p. 3). This style of formative assessment attempts to make clear to the audience the developed essence of study results, a creation that “stems in the different choices and judgments investigators make during the process of data collection and analysis.  Analysis and research within the business context can be described as the systematic exploration of new information concerning business as well as management (Saunders and Lewis, 2012). The obtained outcome usually have functional implications.

My project's next phase was to perform comprehensive secondary research to classify and develop the main research issue. The first disadvantage of working as an individual was that I lacked perspective from potential group members if there could be any. This resulted in a narrow body of information from literary sources. However, the literature review was informative, and after consulting with the instructor, I chose to formulate the research question.

Sourcing for the appropriate secondary information from the internet, I started with a range of secondary documentation gathered during the preliminary research, during which I focused on establishing the research question. The study used an inductive reasoning that should not be used unless the researcher is well-versed in the particular topic (Creswell et al. 2011). As a result, I performed additional literature survey on the preferred research question. I agreed to share the findings with my instructor as scheduled for the subsequent meeting. Conversely, another flaw became apparent: I was unaware of how to use authorised academic directories for example Ebsco. This was addressed after it was explained to me on how to use such databases.

I resolved to evaluate the recent developments on the subject in order to contextualize the research. The following phase was thus the mapping level, in which I established content trends as well as defined void associated with the literature. While performing extensive research upon perusing varying research documents I discovered that there was a discrepancy in the literary works.  It appeared plausible to me at the time to concentrate on the investigation on this gap.

The study results of the secondary investigation influenced the design adopted for the primary study. I chose pragmatism as my ideology since I acknowledged that each technique has constraints and also that various perspectives can be supplementary. Furthermore, obtaining both qualitative as well as quantitative information was a study prerequisite to comprehensively address the research question, and therefore this ideology appeared the most appropriate.

I chose a dual step, mixed approach for the exploratory analysis. A quantitative study was conducted first, preceded by a qualitative study, as part of the double step process. This choice was inspired by the desire to first consider the main perceived behavior among the gym users, building on certain central aspects as well as patterns that could be subsequently discussed by qualitative analysis.  This collaborative as well as analytic strategy is both participative and recursive, with the initial step of quantitative research guiding the following cycle of qualitative study. The advantages of initiation (for a better appreciation of the study area), enablement (for new supporting insights), as well as concentration (for a clearer comprehension of some evolving aspects) influenced this opinion. Furthermore, a mixed system is more likely to solve the limitations of using just one method while still allowing for a more comprehensive strategy to data gathering. The concepts that arose from our quantitative study, which included open-ended queries on a survey, aided in the creation of the quantitative items of research. 

Administration of questionnaires was used for this quantitative analysis. To prevent vague meanings of survey results I agreed to pose ‘why'-type inquiries to elicit substantive responses. The secondary data gathered from the review of literary sources offered empirical as well as qualitative data, allowing me to make comparisons with my research outcomes. The semi-structured interviews aided in testing   and enhancing questionnaire results. The absence of interoperability contributed to the reliability issues regarding the interviews, as did the fact that they represent reality only at the period they were obtained. Nevertheless, the interviews are not generally meant to be replicable because they indicate reality only at point of collection.  

I performed an ethical examination before selecting the research methods to ensure that the research stayed within the ethical guidelines established by the institute's code of research ethics. I opted not to make any statements about financial standing because, while the research may have gained from this parameter, I assumed it could have violated individuals' presumed privacy owing to several trainer's precarious financial situation.

Correspondents were asked to append their signature to a consent document prior to the study as well as interview, which outlined the intent of the test, the duration of the assessment, the privacy and confidentiality of the sample, and the right to terminate the contract.

Disputes between the interviewer and the research participants are popular ethics concerns. In order to limit prejudices, I opted to carry out the research with maximum impartiality and indifference to the subject. I also chose to interpret the results critically, since analysis should be impartial, and to address evidence and results so that the audience can shape his or her own conclusion. Conversely, one weakness in my analysis summary is that I should have given more nuanced justifications for the adopted decisions. 

Conclusion

Finally, I am satisfied that the investigative work was adequately managed, despite its recognised shortcomings and potential for progress. The bulk of vulnerabilities were found and resolved in order to fix them. I learnt from challenges that I couldn't overcome, like the sampling process. I assume that, given the complexity of this mission, I performed adequate research using a reflective and prudent approach. The presentation appeared to have been well handled in regards to time as well as defence. I think I discovered some important results that were in some ways contrary to the secondary sources. In addition, we established a future necessity research that uses a more conceptual perspective. I find my research to be useful in answering the research objectives and providing insight into a potential new contribution path.

References

Karnieli-Miller, O., 2020. Reflective practice in the teaching of communication skills. Patient education and counseling, 103(10), pp.2166-2172.

Saunders, M.N. and Lewis, P., 2012. Doing research in business & management: An essential guide to planning your project. Pearson.

Creswell, J.W., Klassen, A.C., Plano Clark, V.L. and Smith, K.C., 2011. Best practices for mixed methods research in the health sciences. Bethesda (Maryland): National Institutes of Health, 2013, pp.541-545.

Mruck, K. and Breuer, F., 2003, May. Subjectivity and reflexivity in qualitative research—The FQS issues. In Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 4, No. 2).

Looking for affordable assignment help online? Need someone to offer you prices that would go easy on your pocketbook? Bothered, “Can I pay someone to do my assignment at the best industry price?” Of course, you can. MyAssignmenthelp.co.uk has the finest paper writers. They are dedicatedly available to back you up with well-knit assignment papers at the best industry price. 

Sign up for finance assignment help or management assignment help and enjoy a flat 20% off along with an additional $20 sign-up bonus. How cool is that? So, think no more and count on our expertise for affordable assignment help in the UK.