The class started with introducing a new topic ''Mastering the Art of Choosing the Perfect Research Topic''. Our tutor made us understand some facts to consider while selecting a research topic. We should know the importance of choosing a research topic that aligns with personal interests, learn effective strategies for brainstorming and enhancing research ideas, and explore methods for conducting primary research. Also, we discussed the learning outcomes at the end of the lecture we should be able to understand the significance of selecting a research topic, and employing various methods such as mind mapping and group discussions to generate and improve our research ideas. He also said before we choose a research topic we should investigate if such a topic is a potential research topic. we can also utilize online databases, academic journals, and other resources to conduct initial investigations into potential research topics.

Furthermore, what I found interesting about the class was how we created a pallet with the help of my tutor it was helpful and in that class, I decided to choose a research topic with the help of my tutor initially I was researching another topic but my tutor advised me to consider the rules of choosing a research topic and then I realized my previous topic might be difficult for me to handle in terms of getting questionnaires, research materials and I also considered the ambiguity of the research topic.

Our tutor advised that in selecting a research topic there are some factors to consider regarding how to source the material on our research topic our research topic should answer two questions:

Capability: Is the topic feasible

Appropriateness: It is worthwhile to review existing literature to find gaps assess the feasibility in terms of resources and expertise and ensure that the topic is relevant and applies to the real world.

Once you choose a research topic then find the research question that is questions that your research intends to answer. The research Aims are the broad statements that describe the overall purpose of our study.

Research aims provide the direction of our study and show the intended achievements of our research while the Research Objectives a clear specific statements that identify what the researcher wishes to accomplish as a result of doing the research.

As an African International student migrating to Edinburgh Scotland, I discovered many African shops around my area and I decided to know more about how they import their goods from Africa into the United Kingdom.

Studying International Business Management is so interesting to me and I have an interest also in the Importation and Exportation of goods so through the guidance of my tutor I chose to research the topic of Critical Evaluation of the Challenges and Barriers to the Importation of African Foods for Small Businesses in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The book that I have read to understand these areas better is Research METHODS FOR BUSINESS STUDY (Saunders et, al 2012).

Reflecting on week 2 class

Our tutor started by checking if we had updated our journal in the pallet and confirming those who had yet to choose the research topic as we proceeded we had one meeting with our tutor on how to achieve our research topic, research aim, research question, and research objectives.

At the meeting, he asked what I hoped to achieve after my master's degree and I told him that I would like to start a business as an entrepreneur. I do not have any interest in working for an organization anymore.

Secondly, he asked if I had considered the opportunities and challenges based on the business I want to go into which I responded that I would like to go into importation at the end of my program and that was why I chose a research topic that related to Importation so I can learn more about that. ''To import means a country receives goods, services, or raw materials into their borders that have been produced or originate in another country''.

Research Topic: A Critical Evaluation of the Challenges and Barriers to Importing African Foods for African Supermarkets in Edinburgh, Scotland.  

Research Question: What are the challenges and barriers to importing African foods for African supermarket businesses in Edinburgh, Scotland?

Research Aim: This research aims to critically evaluate the challenges and barriers to the importation of African foods for African small businesses in Edinburgh, Scotland.

1. Research Objectives:

To critically review literature in business and management, entrepreneurship, and small business and enterprise to understand the challenges and barriers to the importation of African foods for African small businesses in Edinburgh, Scotland.

To critically evaluate the challenges and barriers to the importation of African foods for African small businesses in Edinburgh, Scotland.

To contribute new knowledge in business and management, entrepreneurship, and small business and enterprise research that will be useful to academics in these disciplines.

To provide insight into the challenges and barriers to the Importation of African Foods for African Small Businesses in Edinburgh, Scotland.

This is going to be useful for academic research and African food dealers.

Our tutor introduced us to Mastering the Art of Literature Review which can be a component of a finished research report. Brodsky M. (2020), outlines that a literature review is a comprehensive review and analysis of the published literature on a specific topic or research question.

A literature review should: 

• Provide a comprehensive and updated review of the literature;

• Explain why this review has taken place;

• Articulate a position or hypothesis;

• Acknowledge and account for conflicting and corroborating points of view

Purpose of a Literature Review

A literature review can be written as an introduction to a study to:

• Demonstrate how a study fills a gap in research

• Compare a study with other research that's been done

Or it can be a separate work (a research article on its own) that:

• Organizes or describes a topic

• Describes variables within a particular issue/problem

Limitations of a Literature Review

Some of the limitations of a literature review are:

• It's a snapshot in time. Unlike other reviews, this one has a beginning, a middle, and an end. There may be future developments that could make your work less relevant.

• It may be too focused. Some niche studies may miss the bigger picture.

• It can not be easy to be comprehensive. There is no way to ensure all the literature on a topic is considered.

• It is easy to be biased if you stick to top-tier journals. There may be other places where people are publishing exemplary research. Look to open-access publications and conferences to reflect a more inclusive collection. Also, make sure to include opposing views (and not just supporting evidence). Grant, Maria J., and Andrew Booth. “A Typology of Reviews: An Analysis of 14 Review Types and Associated Methodologies.” Health Information & Libraries Journal, vol. 26, no. 2, June 2009, pp. 91–108.

I also understood the four aspects of a critical approach:

•Critique of rhetoric: which means assessing or analyzing an issue while making good use of words.

•Critique of tradition: employing other literary sources to challenge traditional wisdom when there is a need to do so.

•Critique of authority: the dominant view portrayed in the literature you are reading

•Critique of objectivity: recognizing in your review that the knowledge and information you are discussing are not value-free.

The book that I have read to gain more knowledge on my research is The Ultimate Business Library, 50 books that made Management by Crainer S. (2019).

This week our tutor was replaced, and we must give an update to our new tutor on what we have done so far. So, we discussed how to work on our learning log and we finally preferred to continue with the padlets we started with our formal tutor Shems.

In class, we discussed what to look out for while working on our research project for instance we must identify appropriate ethical steps to take in the completion of research-based projects, incorporate ethical steps into our progression projects, and recognize the elements required in a research proposal and integrate these with your projects ahead of formative submission.

GUIDING IDEAS FOR ETHICAL/MORAL RESEARCH:

Our tutor told us some of the principles of conducting research projects that all research within the University should be conducted with honesty, rigor, transparency open communication, care respect also with accountability.

Furthermore, we look out for some ethical questions to consider while working on our research project such as:

·       Which moral issues are pertinent to your research project?

·       How are you going to secure any authorization or permissions required to carry out your research?

·       What measures to take to ensure that we protect the privacy and confidentiality of people’s information?

·       How are you going to make sure that your research complies with the moral requirements and standards of your field?

After submitting the research proposal assignment that our tutor instructed us to work on during the week, he called those who submitted their assignment and evaluated what they submitted. During this process, it was one meeting with him, and he asked us questions based on what we submitted and made comments. When it was my turn to meet with him, he said that I should “make more context-specific and also personalized to underline” our interests in the research area for us to be specific and evaluate more on our work.

Narrowing down on the research proposal:

Onwuegbuzie (1997, pg.5) states that a research proposal is a written plan that communicates ideas about a proposed study to obtain approval to conduct the study. After a thorough explanation of what we understand from the research proposal, he also said we should write and submit around 225 words on our learning log we should choose some questions as points of focus for our Learning Log, and we should update our thoughts and observations and the feedback on the learning log should be on weekly bases. Furthermore, he mentioned that there would be due dates for this activity to guarantee that it was finished on time and that failing to meet these dates could result in a lower score for some of the marking criteria.

Now we are about to complete the module for this semester, acknowledging that time is not on our side anymore coupled with class work also am trying to work on the feedback I received from my tutor on the research proposal submitted it has become more challenging as the day goes. Right now, is time to start working on my presentation slides which should be happening on the fourth night. However, drafting my research proposal was challenging, and am still doing more research literature review of my research topic, etc.

Our tutor talked about how to form a good research question and he also asked us how we intend to get feedback on our research questions finally he said we should use online searches like Google Scholar and Science Direct to get answers to our research questions because if we decided to rely on using a questionnaire that is going to take a lot of our time.

Furthermore, he told us how many slides the presentation is going to contain like:

Title, introduction slide, content slide, Literature review, objectives, Question and answer slide, Data collection, Methodology, findings, conclusion and references, etc.