Chapter 2 Getting Started Zina OLeary

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Mark Twain Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

The Research Journey Research is a process that needs to be actively managed. You need to: be strategic in your preliminary planning be organized and prepared create the mental space necessary for research. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Research as Professional Development problem-based learning action learning communication evidence-based decision making academic qualifications. Conducting a research project offers tremendous opportunity for professional development in areas such as: Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Navigating the Process In order for students to navigate a path through the research process, they need to: familiarize themselves with their institution/programs resources and requirements get appropriately set-up negotiate the advisory process manage their workload. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Knowing Requirements To produce research that falls with university guidelines, you need to know your institutions requirements. This can include: meeting deadlines staying within word limits gaining ethics approval providing progress reports giving seminars going through an examination process producing original work that avoids plagiarism. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Becoming Familiar with Available Resources Some of the resources you may want to check on are: accommodation equipment funds library facilities methods assistance writing assistance. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Getting Set Up Researching requires more independence and autonomy than general learning, so researchers need to get properly set up. This will involve: access to a quiet place to work a good reliable computer proficiency in the use of that computer. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Getting the Right Advice Supervisory relationships can be difficult to negotiate. In order to ensure a positive and productive relationship you should attempt to: work towards good communication have clear expectations strive for a sense of comfort in power relations. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Managing Timelines Researching can present real challenges in terms of workloads and timelines. Using Gantt charts and working with both discipline and inspiration can help you mange the process. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Gantt Chart Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Getting the Creative Juices Flowing Some things to try… work on/read over your research journal force yourself to get on the computer write a letter to a real or fictional friend go for a walk. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Staying on Course Being able to find a balance and deal with crisis are part and parcel of researching. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Finding a Balance Most students carry the burden of having a variety of roles. Finding balance is essential to personal well-being and therefore success in all endeavours including research. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Dealing with Crisis The research process is rarely an easy and straightforward journey. It often involves: crises of motivation crises of confidence a lack of direction feelings of disorganization and coincides with lifes ups and downs. Knowing that you are not alone and that there is support can help get you through. Zina OLeary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage