1. Problem Formulation in Applied Social Research

2. Where Do Research Topics Come From?
Practical problems in the field

3. Where Do Research Topics Come From?
Practical problems in the field
Literature in the field

4. Where Do Research Topics Come From?
Practical problems in the field
Literature in the field
Your own thinking

5. Is the Study Feasible? Tradeoff between rigor and practicality
How long it will take
Ethical constraints
Needed cooperation
Costs

6. The Literature Review Review the scientific literature
Do the review early
The review can help you
See if your idea has been tried
Include all relevant constructs
Select instruments
Anticipate common problems