Research process

There are various aspects which make up the research process. If you are new to research, or have not studied for some time, this section will go over the basics of what research is, why research is undertaken and what the process involves.

What is research?

Research is about seeking explanations and answers for the way things work in the world through a systematic process. It underlies the development of society, whether that is through new technology, medicine, communication or understanding the relationship between nations and cultures.

Undertaking a research project will also provide you with a number of important transferable skills, such as analytical and writing skills and time management, which will enable you to be successful both at university and in the workplace. It may lead you to think differently or discover new insights, or change your views or those of other people.

Research is also very personal and highly creative. You will have your own style which you can develop, and you are in charge of the topic, the material you discuss and the view you want to present on it. Researchers often feel a huge sense of achievement at putting together the results of their work, finding unexpected information or results, uncovering a new angle on a topic or making a new discovery.
Why do research?

You probably want to carry out research because you are fascinated by the topic and would like to find answers to some unsolved problems, or gain insights into a particular issue. It presents an opportunity to express your own opinion and views, but also to investigate how your subject relates to and impacts upon a variety of discussions. You may also want to contribute to your knowledge in the field and be part of a wider community of researchers that is exciting and innovative.

Research may tax your ability to sustain an intellectual interest in a topic through difficult phases and for a prolonged period of time. Some of the attributes you are going to need are: competence, motivation, the ability to manage the process and the creativity to problem solve and gain insights.

Your reasons for carrying out research, are influenced not only by your love for the topic but also your motivation to succeed. Reflecting on your motivation and your personal situation should give you an insight into what you bring to the process, apart from your curiosity and enthusiasm for doing research. These external influences on us can either boost our motivation or sap it when things get tough.
What does research involve?

When you are researching at university, you join a community of researchers. Research is about creating new ideas, confirming or responding to other research and, above all, challenging the status quo. Research projects have a lifecycle; they do more than begin and end.

Click on the image below for an interactive example of research lifecycle (opens in a new window).

Research lifecycle [alternative format]
Get to know your topic
- Identify your topic
- Quick study/overview of topic
- Identify your interests and strengths
Develop Proposal
- Clarification of topic – ensure a researchable topic/question
- Brief review of literature
- Write proposal
Research Process
- Meet with supervisor and set ground rules
- Carry out literature search
- Carry out research experiments / interviews / survey / provenance depending on research method
- Research integrity
- Drafts writing
- Keep motivated as results may be unexpected
- Develop contingency plans with your supervisor
- You may find you have to collect more data
Completion
- Final analysis
- Write up
- Supervisor reads draft(s) – make changes.
- Printing/Binding
- Contribute to the wider research environment through papers (with supervisor) and conferences
Impact
- Remain in academia – PhD
- Job success
- Continue to write more papers from your research.
- Give yourself a professional web presence if desirable

Research and study skills

Adopting appropriate and effective study skills from an early stage in your studies will pay dividends in the form of time saving, better grades and higher levels of confidence when approaching new challenges. To make effective use of your personal skills and compensate for weaknesses, it is important that you have a good understanding of your approach to learning. There are many ways to learn more about your learning skills set. These include:

listening to your friends
listening to your tutor/supervisor
considering the feedback you have been given for previous work

ACTIVITY – The Open University have produced a Learning Style Activity. The answers are collated and related to four general learning styles. Have a go at this activity… are you surprised by the results? Take time to reflect on the results and think about how you may want to change your learning style as a result.

The next section covers key information about reflecting on your research and any bias you may have.

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