Bryman & Bell: Research Project Guide

Table of Contents

1. Preparing Yourself to Do Research
   1. What is involved in a small-scale research project or dissertation?
   2. Start thinking about your research early
   3. Preliminary literature review/discussions to get research ideas
   4. Get to know what your institution is expecting from you
   5. Using Your Supervisor
   6. Managing Time and Resources
   7. Research checklist
2. What Do I Want to Research Exactly?
3. The Research Process
4. Writing Up Your Research Report

What is involved in a small-scale research project or dissertation?

Chapter 26

- Get to know what is expected of you by your institution

- Start thinking about your research early on

- Identify your research questions

- Use your supervisor

- Manage your time and resources

- Search and read the existing literature to produce a critical review

- Prepare for your research

- Collect your data

- Analyse your results

- Write up your research

Web links:

www.mdx.ac.uk/www/study/research.htm - comprehensive advice on planning, conducting and writing research projects. The ABC Study Guide hosted by Andy Roberts at Middlesex University.

final-year-projects.com/index.htm - Mike Hart's site on practical sources of advice on final year projects, dissertations or theses. The 'Getting Started' page includes a useful example of a dissertation plan.

www.keyskills.ucsm.ac.uk/lskills/TLTP3/WS/dissskills.html - Sheffield Hallam's example of the type of key skills site available at many universities (you may need a username and password to enter yours) - site entrance at www.keyskills.ucsm.ac.uk/lskills/TLTP3/entersite.html