1. Hypotheses, objectives and researchable questions.
1.1. A tentative proposition which is subject to verification through subsequent investigation.
1.2. Also be seen as the guide to the researcher in that it depicts and describes the method to be followed in studying the problem.
1.3. hypotheses make statements about relations between variables and provide a guide to the researcher as to how the original hunch might be tested.
2. Working title and the project outline.
2.1. Are you clear about the purpose of the study? Are you sure about it? Do you think it’s likely to be worth doing?
2.2. Have you decided on the focus of the study?
2.3. You’ve been through all your key questions (several times now) and know what your priorities are
2.4. You have begun to consider what information you might need in order to be in a position to answer your questions.
3. Timing
3.1. It is immaterial whether you produce a list or a chart, but some attempt at planning progress should be attempted.
3.2. Forcing yourself to move on is a discipline that has to be learnt.
3.3. Ask for help and advice before you become weeks out of phase with your timetable, so that you have a chance of amending your original project plan.
4. Supervision.
4.1. Few researchers, inexperienced and experienced, can go it alone and expect to produce quality research.
4.2. Most of us really do need a supervisor in whom we have confidence, with whom we can share our thinking, who is willing to advise and to give an honest view about our drafts, and that applies regardless of whether we are working on a 100-hour project, an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree.
5. Student–supervisor relationships.
5.1. I have occasionally heard students complain that they are getting a raw deal from their supervisors, and in some cases they may have been right – though not always.
6. Selecting a topic is more difficult than it at first seems.
7. Selecting a topic.
7.1. Prepare well and you will save time later.
7.2. We want to know and understand in order to be able to act and act “better” than we did before’ (Langeveld 1965: 4).
7.3. Discuss possible practical outcomes with your supervisor and ask whether the department has any guidelines for the selection of topics and the preparation of research briefs.
7.4. Consider what the emphasis of your study is to be
8. Getting started.
8.1. Think about what might be involved in each topic and which will be likely to maintain your interest
8.2. Talk to colleagues and friends about your initial ideas.
8.3. Try to bring the list down to a possible two – one likely to be of main interest and the second to fall back on if your preliminary investigations throw up problems
8.4. Start with your first choice (mature students) and begin to write down your ideas on a sheet of A4 paper. I say A4 rather than the back of an envelope because you will need space.
9. The purposes of the study.
9.1. Think about it.
9.2. Write down your ideas.
9.3. Ask yourself questions and make a note of any prompts about the likely sub questions.
