We tell you how to step by step make a good research project or academic work from the selection of the topic to the moment of delivery. Research project topic: passion and innovation
If the rest of the technical issues of the work are well done, choosing a topic that we are passionate about will make the difference between an ordinary work and an outstanding one. Between a work that is read over and forgotten in a second and one that is remembered even after we have graduated and have our
eTitle. Making a good choice of the research project topic will make our task much easier because we will work without getting bored, committed to the task and eager. The passion, interest, curiosity, enthusiasm that we have put into investigating will result in a much richer project and conclusions if the topic excites us, because that feeling is noticeable and will be contagious to the readers. So, how do we do it? Well, first of all we have to take a moment of introspection to ask ourselves a series of questions and see if we come to any conclusion. We can look for inspiration in books, other academic works, current scientific discoveries, social problems... There are many possibilities. In addition, the options increase because it is much better to focus on a very specific topic than to choose a general one. For example, it is more useful to talk about the left antenna of the ant
Eciton burchellii than about that ant as a whole. After this moment of introspection, we will probably hesitate between four or five topics of academic interest that we would like to work on. It is time to consult with our closest colleagues or with the person who will supervise our research project, if there is one. If we still have doubts, we will have to make a list of pros and cons for each option and consider practical issues such as the ease of finding material or conducting studies. Now the bad news: loving the topic is not enough. We must also look for it to be innovative or to propose new perspectives on something already treated. It is important that academic studies are not simply a compendium of the thoughts of others, but that they must bring new ideas and visions that add something more than the demonstration that we know the subject we are working on.
Thorough research
To start the research project it is crucial that we have a clear understanding of our objectives. Let's ask ourselves what we want to achieve and how it will contribute to our field of study. The objectives must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and with a set time limit. This will provide us with a solid foundation for the rest of the process and prevent us from going off track. It doesn't hurt to keep these objectives in sight just in case. Once they are defined, we will start by examining the existing literature on our topic to familiarize ourselves with the previous studies that have been carried out in this field. This will help us understand the context of our research and identify gaps in current knowledge that we can explore. It is advisable to use various sources of information, such as books, academic articles, databases, reliable websites, interviews, surveys, etc. Make sure to evaluate the credibility and quality of the sources and take detailed notes and organize them coherently, which will help us avoid the loss of important information and maintain a clear focus.
Create a work plan according to the research project
Developing a good work plan is essential to stay active and avoid delays. We must divide the research project into smaller stages and set realistic deadlines for each of them. Make sure to have enough time for data collection, analysis, writing and revisions. It is also useful to allocate time for possible unforeseen events or setbacks (which are common in any research project) and to take into account the breaks we need and the mental saturation we will have if we demand too much work from ourselves.
Preliminary outline
Before starting to write, it will be very useful to create a preliminary outline of our work or research project. We have to organize our main ideas and subtopics in a logical and sequential way, which will allow us to get an overview of how our research will develop and will help us maintain coherence in our texts.
Critical analysis and synthesis
As we collect information, we must make sure to do a critical analysis, identify key ideas, relationships between concepts and detect possible gaps. Of course, it is necessary to use appropriate research methods in our field and create a detailed record of sources and results. If from the beginning we create the bibliography with the help of a
program that manages it, it will be much easier for us and we will not forget to cite any source.
Write and revise the research project
With the data collected and analyzed, it is time to write the research project. We must write correctly (both in spelling and syntax) in a coherent way and use clear and precise language. It is important to think that not all readers may know what we are talking about and therefore, to make culture accessible to everyone, we must avoid the use of unnecessary jargon and make sure that the concepts are well explained. In addition, it is good that we make an effort to make an attractive introduction to engage readers, that we use visual resources such as graphics or images to make the text breathe (and the readers too) and that we have conclusions that, in addition to summarizing the important points, add something new to the study and leave readers with a good taste in their mouth. Once we have finished writing, it is very important to dedicate time to review and correct the work to ensure that it meets the required academic standards. Let's not forget that 20 eyes see better than 2, so if we can pass it on to other people to correct and give their opinion, much better. Even the most obsessive writer sometimes overlooks a typo.
Feedback
Now that we have reviewed and corrected our research project, it is highly recommended to ask for some feedback from our teachers and colleagues. Their perspective can give us valuable ideas that enrich our work. Let our ego never prevent us from accepting a good idea. Once we have followed all these steps and considered our "creature" finished, it is time to deliver it and go out to celebrate, because after so much work it is time to disconnect and gather strength for the next one.
