Steps to Planning a Research

Research work involves conducting a thorough study on a given subject to get a deeper understanding of that particular topic. For research work to be effective and efficient, it must be pre-planned such that when undertaken, it will get conducted with few or no hurdles along the way. The process requires a clear and well-outlined plan that will guide the research from its inception to the conclusion. In the planning process, a few steps must get considered and applied to help in the research work. The steps include; analyzing the task, finding a topic, determining the kind of research, identifying primary and secondary sources, drafting a thesis, and creating a working bibliography.

Analyzing the task

Analyzing data is the first step when planning for research, and it involves going through the topic to comprehend it. In this step, the researcher will evaluate the research task’s contents and evaluate whether they understand it. The researcher should be able to establish whether the task is self-explanatory and, therefore, carry out the research task. By understanding the task, the researcher can conduct the research effectively and efficiently (Grewal, Kateria, & Dhawan, 2016). For instance, the task may involve reviewing the issuance of scholarships at the institution. After comprehending the task, the next step is to find a topic.

Finding a topic

Finding a topic is very crucial when aiming to conduct effective research efficiently. The planning process involves trying to find a working topic that will guide the whole research process. Finding a relevant topic is essential since it is a guideline for conducting the research. However, identifying a topic may be difficult, especially when it is absent; therefore, one has to research or think critically to come up with a fitting theme. A researcher can find a topic suggestion when reading, in the syllabus, or by researching to find a relevant topic. Furthermore, one can consult experts who may give ideas on topics the researcher can work with.

Determining the kind of research

The next step is to determine the kind of research that is going to get conducted. The step follows the working topic chosen in the previous step. Research types vary depending on what the study intends to get or determine once it comes to an end (Brause, 2012). By determining the kind of research, a researcher can establish how much information is needed, the number of sources required, and how current the references should get used. Additionally, the researcher can identify any particular sources needed, and if the research requires the researcher to view it. For instance, analytical research has specific requirements that are different from academic research.

Primary and Secondary research

After determining the kind of research, the next step is to establish primary and secondary sources. Primary bases are sources that provide direct information about the research topic. They are a source that got created during the time of the study. They may include artifacts, documents, and recordings produced by the source. On the other hand, secondary sources include documents or writings on sources presented elsewhere. The sources provide relevant information about the research topic and may prove important when carrying out the study. For instance, original documents like recordings may get classified as primary sources and websites as secondary.

Drafting a thesis

This step involves highlighting what the research paper is going to talk about and why that topic is important. The thesis statement briefly shows what the research is all about, how it gets conducted, and its purpose (Lang, 2011). The thesis has to get drafted in a way that a reader will get a general idea about the whole paper. The thesis develops by arguing why something is important, comparing and contrasting a topic, and exploring a definition. The examples may provide a good thesis, but the theme of the research must guide them.

Creating a bibliography

The final step in research planning is to create a relevant bibliography for the research work. It can be done by recording relevant information while writing the paper or can be done on a separate document, and cited later. The information referenced should be related to the research and helpful to the reader in understanding the topic. However, the style used to reference depends on the instruction and may vary from MLA, APA, and Chicago format.

Conclusion

Conducting effective and efficient research requires a proper plan that will guide the research process. The planning steps may vary depending on the type of research. The steps guide a researcher on how to conduct a study that will yield good results. Research should ensure they follow all the steps in planning research since it will help them understand its real impact on improving lives in society.

References

Brause, R. S. (2012). Writing Your Doctoral Dissertation: Invisible Rules for Success. New York: Routledge Falmer.

Grewal, A., Kataria, H., & Dhawan, I. (2016). Literature search for research planning and identification of research problem. Indian Journal Of Anaesthesia, 60(9), 635. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.190618

Lang, M. (2011). Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation. Managing Leisure, pp 85-86.