Pick a topic based on a development within your discipline, a subject from a lecture, an area that raises debate or your experience/practice (Levin, 2011, p. 36).
Gap: What area is missing or limited in current research?
Topical: Which issue(s) are of concern/interest within industry?
Genre: Which genre or branch of your discipline interests you?
Process: Which materials or techniques do you utilise in your practice?
Theory: Which theories or principles have you learnt about?
Case study: Who or what inspires you?
Past learning: What lecture topics have interested you? Do you wish to explore a previous area of research further?
Primary research involves gathering information firsthand via methods such as visits, interviews, questionnaires or focus groups.
Consider the type of data that you wish to collect: quantitative (figures, statistics) or qualitative (words, opinions).
As part of primary research, you may have to write questions; avoid confusing, leading or word language. See the guide to question design below to aid you.
Additionally, watch the video to learn more about qualitative research methods.
Being ethical relates to ‘moral behaviour in research contexts’ (Wiles, 2013, p.4). It includes following good practices for data collection, storage and use of information. Read NUA’s Code of Ethics.
Complete the NUA Ethics Checklist to uncover any issues. If you answer ‘Yes’ to any of the questions, you will need to complete the University’s Ethics Approval Form.
When approaching participants, inform them who you are, what the project is about, why you are doing the research, what will be involved and what is happening to the information (Alderson, 1995, cited in Arksey and Knight, 1999, p. 69).
Outline your research with a participant information sheet or introductory letter/email.
You should also obtain written consent from participants where appropriate.
Participants’ identities should not be revealed unless written permission is obtained prior to the work being carried out. Instead, use anonymised names such as ‘Participant A’.
See below for templates to outline your research and gain consent.
Recap the generic structure for all the report types
Cover page: title, report type, your name, course, year of completion and word count.
Abstract: a summary of the whole report. It covers the topic, methods and results. It is roughly 250 words in length. See the guide below.
Introduction (up to 10 %): outline the topic of research and justify its significance. Show the reader how you will cover the topic.
Chapters: divide up your report into chapters. Usually three will be sufficient.
Conclusion (up to 10 %): summarize the key findings and return to your title.
Appendix (singular) or Appendices (plural): features additional information such as email correspondence, survey questions or transcripts of interviews. Each new item takes an alphabetical letter.
Bibliography: alphabetical Harvard referenced list of source.
Summarise: What might each chapter cover overall? What questions might it seek to answer?
Consider: Which individual paragraphs might you include? What evidence from your notes might align to each point? Use the planning template below for guidance.
Orderlogically: often information follows common patterns. Which patterns from below might work for your chapters?
1.Analytical: Situation – Problem – Solution 2.Chronological: Past – Present – Future 3.Comparison: Similar – Different 4.Discussion: For – Against; Pros – Cons 5.General to specific: e.g. context or history – case studies 6.Phrased: Short – Medium – Long Term Aspects 7.Thematic: Theme a – Theme b – Theme c Adapted from Macmillan and Weyers (2007, p. 96)