Techniques of Research : An Introduction

Research is "the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions". Oxford Dictionaries online

If you cannot confidently answer 'Yes' to the following questions, then you may wish to reconsider your topic.

If you answer 'No' to any of these questions, it may not necessarily mean abandoning the research, but you may wish to redefine the scope or purpose of the research.

Careful planning at the start of the project, to make sure your objectives are clear, will save unnecessary work in the long term.
 

• Does the topic interest you?
• Is the research topic engaging enough to you to maintain your interest throughout the life of the project, which may be several years?
• Is the research feasible?
• Is it realistically achievable by you and do you have access to the resources and/or data required?
• Does the research add value?
• What contribution will the research make to your field, or the wider community?

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