Research Reflection Report (Assignment Format) Guidelines for the Report

These notes are designed to help you deliver and conduct a successful Research Reflection Report.

The Research Reflection Report is a major piece of work and is designed to support your own self-critical
consideration of your research and related business skills and demonstrate that you can:-

Reflect and comment critically on what you have learnt during the programme and during the
carrying out of your research activities
Carefully consider the research which you have carried out and critically comment on this
Discuss the relationship of your research, research sources and evidence, and researching
activities to the production of your Major Project
Critically comment on the key areas, examples, sources of your research
Consider the relationship of your research, and researching, to both your Major Project and
possible future employment opportunities

Your Research Reflection Report is not only an academic exercise but also a piece of work which you may
wish to use in future employment contexts to demonstrate your ability to consider the importance of
research and researching to:-

business planning,
business success,
organisational contexts
your own academic and business skills and the contribution which you can make to an
organisation as a result of developing these skills

The Research Reflection Report therefore aims to support the students ability to be self critical about their
research. It also develops the students understanding and application of the core concepts of business and
academic skills while developing their ability to perform more effectively within organisations in a real
world context. The Report therefore encourages reflection on:-

1) Research Processes

2) The research methodologies which you have considered and applied

3) Research and researching as a problem solving process used by you as a student,

4) The identification and discussion of your key learning points which could be applied to other
situations.

5) The relationship of research and your major project to your professional development
opportunities and career development intensions
Completion of the Report

The contents of the report are given in a template format (see pages 3&4)
You may treat this report as a self critical evaluation of your researching experience or Learning
Diary or as a final summing up of your experiences while carrying out the Research and the
Major Project in which you have been involved. It is advisable not to leave the completion of the
Report until the last minute.
Above all this Report should not be simply descriptive it should be a self critical summary of
your learning experiences. You should adopt a critical viewpoint what seems to work, what
is less successful and why? Discuss the examples of best /good/interesting research practice
which you have come across. Consider how research examples/models can be usefully used in
business situations and be adapted to suit your future workplace/ academic environment.
You should attempt to respond to all template sections
You should keep to the overall word limit of 4000 words maximum for the whole Report.

Things to think about when completing your Research Reflective Report:-

The nature of your research and your Major Project

Why is it being done; why are you working on this subject and how significant is it to you and to future
employers?

Plan of your schedules

Have you managed effectively your research and Major Project schedules and are they logical?

Resources
What resources (i.e. people, evidence, references, and ideas) have you used and how are you using these?
Why are they important?

Methodologies
Are the methods which you have used specified clearly, and are they sufficiently rigorous? Are
data/evidence/literature sources specified and available? Are you conducting the research and the Major
Project in a professional manner? What analytical frameworks will be used to make sense of the work?
Are these appropriate?

Support and Barrier Issues

Have these been thought through by you? How any barriers to be/being overcome?

Anticipated Benefits to you and to a future employment organisation

What are they? Knowledge? : Ideas? : Learning Experience? : Efficiency? : Effectiveness? Financial?:
Organisational?: Skills?

How will the project satisfy you?

How will the work contribute to your personal development? How wide a range of skills and knowledge
does it use from your programme? Will it demonstrate that you have an understanding of your programme
subject areas?

Major Project Conclusions: The conclusions which you are forming for your Major Project are they
based on rigorous reasoning and argument?

Report Writing Skills

Write your reflections and critical views clearly and simply.
Student name: ABDULLAHI MUSA KING WRITE YOUR NAMES HERE AS THEY ARE IN
YOUR PASSPORT..

Student ID number: 0058EFEF0414 WRITE YOUR SCHOOL ID NUMBER

HERE

RESEARCH
REFLECTION REPORT Marks
(should contain the details given available
Please type your responses in the spaces below:
below)

Research Methods & Processes I have chosen the research methodology of my major
project in describing my targeted respondents this is
How and why have you
chosen/decided on the research
because I should be able to know how the residents
methods and processes which you of Abuja habits can be while consuming drinking
are using/have used for the water or the bottled water making the individual
development of your Major from the scope of 21 to 61 years of age as well as the 15
Project? level of income this has helped greatly in organizing
How would you describe these to:
and it has create a good understanding how the
business can be effectively formulated. And 100
1) a reader of your Major Project respondents was the size I have chosen which I can
and/or use as a basis to the general population of the people
in Abuja inhabitants and I have chosen some key
2) a future employer
areas of location which are towns and cities where
(max. 550 words) the bottled water is highly intended to be sold in
within. So therefore I want a reader of my major
project to understand that the location which I have
used as well as the number of respondents or sample
size as well as the method I have used in the
collection method is to understand that these
process of method makes it vital before plunging or
entering into such business. I also want the future
employer to know that this major project of mine is
so important as it will enable the future employer to
know categorically what is vital in setting up such
business because businesses vary from one to
another so also they all require a different type of
approach tro be able to move it successfully. If the
future employer looks very well into my research
method he will learn how skilful information which
has been obtained for such kind of business start up.

Literature & sources The most important literature review I have used
are the business review I have used in the major
1) What are the most important
theories/literature sources
project . these are the political and legal condition,
/evidence sources which you are the social and economic condition, the completion as 15
using to justify your research and well as the consumer market.
your Major Project? They are important and very significant to my work
as I have stated earlier in my piece of work. When
2) Why are these sources important
and fundamental to your work? talking about political and legal, because Abuja is one
of the states in Nigeria has its own laws regarding to
(max. 550 words) the bottled water company and these may vary from
one state to another, although Abuja controls the
countries assets. Nevertheless, regarding the political
concept, the politics is not stable as different leaders
come and go with different laws implementation.
These laws sometime or most of the times favour the
setting up of bottled water companies. While the
social and economic condition have discussed how
unstable the Nigerian economy is. Although there is
large or hue dependency on crude oil and which
make the other sectors of the economy void. Where
as the competition is also important in this piece of
major project. Looking from the trends, the
competitive landscape, the prospects also which has
greatly helped me to know hoe intense the business
start up of bottled water company can be. As
without these it is virtually impossible to embark
upon such kind of business. Because the competitors
can have a great impact upon the growth of the
business. And lastly is the consumer market. These
shows varieties of market and the consumer habits,
we have to look into the key areas where and which
can boost the business start up and gradually moving
into areas by creating awareness and which will
enhance great sale and good profits.

Your Knowledge I have of developed a wide range of knowledge from

undertaking my research. Actually I did not realize it ,
What key areas of knowledge have
you gained from undertaking your
but when I have wrote down the list of all the list of
research and the Major Project? knowledge which I have acquired throughout the 10
research and the major project finding in the period,
Indicate why these are so important I was really surprised and so much satisfied.
to you?
Indeed I have been able to expand my general
(max. 400 words)
knowledge regarding loan entrepreneurship,
meeting new people, opened my mind and as well
improve myself as a person and understand how to
establish a small as well as medium scale business. I
have also been able to understand and develop
knowledge of my observing environment which is
very important as it identifies the important gaps and
how it could be filled.

Also I have learnt about social media platform

management. I have discovered very well how to
facebook in a professional way. Social platform are
really a good tool for business as it has always make
improvement in awareness of a product or a
company on the internet, it could be used for
promotion or identifying new customer product or
service opportunities .

Even as I have understood the principles of sales

management before I have start the research. I have
learn how to be able to open and run online selling
platform (ebay), which enable me to discover fair
trades which in my own view as an ideal way to sell
our product efficiently through the contact between
customer and the seller.

My writing and speaking skills has been greatly

enhanced from the module on how to write and
promote a feasibility study and a business plan as
they cannot be avoided as they are necessary to
obtain funds to start the business as well as creating
awareness.

To conclude this, I would like to say that the overall

experience was satisfactory. I have acquired
knowledge and skills which will help in my future
experience as well as improving myself as a person. I
was able to put my skills in practice, something I
really appreciated.
Your Learning When talking about the skills which i have gained
from undertaking the MBA programme I will have to
What are the most important
aspects/examples of learning categorize them into:
and/or skills which you have 10
gained from: - Leadership skills; this is because when I have
undergone the MBA programme, I have participated
(1) undertaking the MBA into the group assignments and work with my
programme, classmates. We did varieties of presentation and
(2) following through your
this has allowed me to show case my leadership
research, and abilities

(3) applying your knowledge and - Risk management skills; in todays business
what you have learnt in your Major environment, there is always a measure of risk
Project involved. I have gratitude to my MBA course as it
has taught me risk management and the analysis
(max. 400 words)
skills. I have the ability to assess there risks and also
to make educated and cost effective decision
possible.

- been able to learn how to effectively

communicate with people in both one on- one
situations and public speaking roles.

- Time management and project management

skills: while undertaking the MBA programme, I have
learnt how to manage my time effectively. Of course
proper time management skills are essential whether
I decide to work within an organization or to be an
entrepreneur.

- Technical skills: my MBA course has also

taught me how to most effectively use business
software and relate programs. Since the technology
is extremely important in todays work place
environment. This gave me a distinct advantage in
my career.

2 What I also gained following through my research

will be explained as:

- Critical thinking: I have been able to think

deep and in a critical way on how to achieve success
In writing the project

- Analyze and solve problems: after I have

taught critically, I can be able to come out with
problems and I developed the ability in solving them.

- Formulate research question: I have been

able to make important research questions that a
good project should have.

- Taking responsibilities: from all the project

writing, I can be able to take responsibility of
performing them myself.

3 How I can apply knowledge and what I have learnt

In my major project is at the workplace at;
Critical Thinking and your ideas In carrying out the research I have made a lot of new
discoveries which has been so important to my
In carrying out your research, your
analysis, your evaluation of learning, because it has come to my knowledge how
10
evidence, and in identifying or finance or capital could be raised from different
proposing conclusions, what has sources as well as how the payment could be made. I
been the most important discovery,
have discovered also that a research project is vital
or piece of evidence, or theory, or
to any new business start up, because a well
viewpoint, or critical idea, or
developed research proposal will lead to successful
critical addition to your knowledge,
or other item of importance and business start up. For example in Nigeria from the
why? vast population it would be important to study the
water drinking habit of its populace as people in
(max. 400 words)
Nigeria vary from religion, languages, tribes and
cultures as well as location or even weather. All
these are good discoveries I have achieved and made
me know more about the characters of the people as
well as the government in handling these kind of
issue. But as a critical idea I think and know the
federal government of Nigeria has not done enough
to make it a good atmosphere for those into the
business of bottled water. And perhaps the
government should review its policies and rules
regarding the bottled water company. Regulations
such as obtaining licenses and rights in order to set
up this business is not followed in accordance with
the Nigerian government rule of law.

Barriers met In conducting my research and upon completing the

major project all are integral part of learning
What were the main difficulties
and barriers which you were faced requires skills and credibility to effect on changes.
with in: Fortunately, I have been able to overcome the 10
challenges I have faced. These challenges are;
(1) undertaking your research, and
Choosing the riht topic: it has been a challenge on
(2) completing your Major project me because of finding the study participants, to be
(max. 400 words) able to remain same throughout the process. The
research topic was the foundation on which
everything else rest. So it was crucial for me to
choose carefully. I cannot do anything until I had
make sure I figure out the basic focus of my topic
such as

Developing a do able topic: e.g. what resources I can

have available i.e. time, money, people and I chose a
topic I can do justice. Moreover undergoing the
bottled water company was not easy as I have to
ensure it correlates to my resources

Finding a theoretical basis to support my topic

Making sure the topic will hold to my interest

because I must avoid everything that makes me feel
discouraged in conducting it

Looking for niche in which I can make a different

wasnt easy either

Staying motivated and working my plan: when I

began the research I felt it was a large research
project, with a big challenge to be faced internally
i.e. maintaining the motivation to keep going despite
obstacles in my research and the pressure of work
and personal commitments

Dealing with the data: conducting the market

research was the most challenging task I faced
throughout the process of writing these business
plan. I leant the two types of market research
PRIMARY and SECONDARY research. The primary
data which gathers data from potential customers
through survey, questionnaires. I have learnt that
creating a questionnaire is not that simple and
straight forward as a cleverly designed questionnaire
will enable me to gain strategies for marketing,
decides on location, determine my products and its
pricing as well as defining my business target market.
It is my market and survey outcomes that shapes and
guides the entire business plan.
Your Professional Development One of my long term goal is to be an entrepreneur
and set up my own business. Therefore with this
What are the most important 10
business and/or management comprehensive business plan, evaluating the risk
skill(s) or academic idea(s) or involved up to its implementation and exploring the
lesson(s) which you have learnt basic business functional areas for running a
from undertaking your research and business.
your Major Project and why?
(400 words) Every entrepreneur should posses the basic
management skills to be able to effectively manage
and motivate the business plan, this skills such as
the;

Interpersonal skills : which makes the manager a

peoples person. Making them have the ability to deal
and work with people of different temperaments
backgrounds and educational qualifications. It
enables me to know what can motivate my
employees in bringing out of the best in them, as
well as building relationship with subordinates and
be fair in dealing with them.

Communications skills: it makes a crucial vision and

strategies to my team an d effective functioning in
decision making I respect the view and opinion of my
subordinates as it can build a long lasting
relationship and earn their respect and trust as well.

I learnt that to become a great entrepreneur it

should start with good innovative idea. In the current
world, where there are many products of bottled
water and varieties of services rendered by bottled
water companies, one may think that finding an
innovative or new idea would be extremely
challenging task, however this research and major
project has taught me that I can produce an
innovative business idea through careful observation
e.g. the surrounding, the environment people and
similar businesses. I can be able to identify problems
and this gain ideas, solutions and new ways.

Aside from learning ways to produce innovative

ideas and solution, one more important aspect is the
importance of conducting a comprehensive and
systematic market research because it has help me
to brand and market the product or service I will
render, smoothly and effectively

Objectives Well, in regards to what are my objectives and how I

achieved it will make me say that what actually
Based on your research and the 10
work which you have done in the motivates a person or someone to become an
MBA Programme and its use in entrepreneur is money. For a chance to be able to
your Major Project, what were and make a significant profit while business survives as
how far have the objectives of your
well.
major project been achieved?

(max. 450 words) Although risk has to be taken. But by taking on some
calculated risks, a lot of determination and some
luck, a start up business can become very large ,
profitable, and even valuable.

Consumer market: the Nigeria market is vast but also

quite fragmented, the objectives rallies on how to
make a link or market connectivity. The northern
part of the country has the largest population and
where our vast customers can be found. The
problem of insignificant transportation system and
some infrastructural deficits has shown some states
the water have to be to be those among our
employers who are from the region because they
know more about it and will help generate easy
access our objectives here is to meet the wide
market and we have the capable employee.

The effect of economic condition is one of the

objectives of this project research. The lack of safe
drinking water is the root cause of hunger diseases
and poverty in Africa. Nigeria also is faced with a
challenge of providing enough and safe drinking
water for its growing population. The objective here
is to provide sufficient and also quality drinking
water throughout the federation. That is the reason
why we have employed a pool of work force to make
this possible and also we have obtained the license
and always allow and invite the NAFDAC and some
other health care observers into the company so as
to ensure we keep supplying a safe drinking water.

The level of competition: there is a huge competition

in the bottled water market in Nigeria. So many
bottled water company exist and this can drive down
the profit to be made in this project, we have been
able to identify that by giving a quality drinking water
and by adopting some kind of sales promo we can be
able to survive in the business while making a huge
profit.

Impact of political and legal conditions: knowing that

Nigeria is a country with the presidential system of
government. The objective here is to abide by the
rules and regulations set up by the government for
bottled water companies. Primarily such as
 producing safe drinking water.

Findings & outcomes Every Nigerian has a right to safe, good tasting water
from the tap. If for example we have chosen to buy
How useful and/or feasible are the 10
findings, recommendations, the bottled water, then we also deserve assurances
conclusions, or outcomes of your that it too is safe. This project is useful in finding out
Major Project to you and/or to a the sources i.e. whether our water comes from tap
future Employer? or bottled, the consumers have the right to know
what are the contents. So the recommendation can
You must justify your answer with
specific examples.
be identified:

(max. 450 words) The NAFDAC should set strict limits which could be
equivalent of international standard and is of most
health protective to enable contaminants of concern
in bottled water and some parasites and pathogens.

NAFDAC rule should apply to all bottled water

distributed nationally or within the state, carbonated
or not. To also comply with common sense and a
new requirement as in the safe drinking water Act
amendment. Because all these could be useful in
safe guarding the health of the public.

NAFDAC registration has made it possible in making

the consumers have trust and confidence in the
bottled water industry because without the NAFDAC
registration number the consumers will not purchase
it as they may have doubt on what they are likely to
consume.

Furthermore, from the findings people tend to

consume the bottled water due to fear of tap water
not knowing where the source is actually from and
fear that it could harm them.

The taste of the bottled water on the other hand has

ignite a quite number of people to consume it.

The style has also make quite significant reasons for

consumption because a lot of consumers of the
bottled water believe drinking water from the bottle
will make them healthier and more beautiful.

Convenience has also made it significant because the

bottle water could be found at anywhere.

TOTAL

100