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starting new research project

31 July 2010

By kareem D

Dear All,

 

I am planning to start a new research project, and unfortunately I don't have much support.

I would be very grateful if someone guided me on how to start planning a new research? how to choose a project, how do you decide what is the best topic? and how do you know it is not being conducted else where in the world? I know the answer is by reading papers, but sometimes other people might do exact same research at the same time, how do you gain knowlegde on are others doing if you are not able to go to conferences ...etc?

any ideas on planning and organising a research project will be really appreciated.

 

thanks in advance

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  1. Sarah Davies02 August 2010 at 11:33 AM

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    Dear Kareem You don't mention what discipline you are working on, and I think the answers to some of your questions may depend a bit on this. If you're a social scientist (or humanities scholar), my recommendation would be to take a look at David Silverman's book 'Doing Qualitative Research' (see http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hGMRKAEb4KwC&dq=doing+qualitative+research&hl=en&ei=M55WTOmMF6GTsQa8sIziAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA). This is a step by step discussion of the research process, and includes a section on thinking about a topic to focus on. As well as the things you mention - being familiar with the literature and what other people are working on - he emphasises thinking about what *you* are interested in and excited by. This could be based on your personal experiences, or on a question that has stuck in your mind. In other words, there's loads of scope for researching a topic you are passionate about. Good luck!

  2. Andy Humphrey06 August 2010 at 01:27 PM

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    The UCU trade union produce a publication called the Researchers' Survival Guide, which is designed mainly for people who are new to research. It's really a lifestyle guide to explain what doing research in a university context is really like, but it contains lots of useful references and website links for places where you can get guidance. It also has a substantial section on the employment rights that researchers have. You can download it at http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3228 The Vitae website (where you are now!) is also a rich repository of resources. Spend some time exploring the site, particularly the bits at www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers, and you should find a plethora of useful advice!

  3. kareem D14 August 2010 at 02:56 PM

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    Dear Sarah, first thank you very much for your reply. My main research interest is in Biochemistry, and specifically cell degradation processes and generally , UPS, autophagy and apoptosis. Dear Andy, thanks too, I agree, i think this website is really useful, I have downloaded loads of articles and advices and they really helped me alot in doing my research, I think some of them are priceless. I have also downloaded the gudie, thanks and keep the good work

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"Dear Sarah, first thank you very much for your reply. My main research interest is in Biochemistry, and specifically cell degradation proce..."

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