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Linking the research question to study design
Making the research goals or aims operational is the next step. One of the essential parts of planning the project is to get its size right – you need to know that the research is feasible and that it can be done within the resources you have available. This means getting the level of the question right and having a really clear focus. When we start thinking of what we’d like to do, nine times out of 10 we’ll be thinking too big, and the other time we’ll be thinking too small. Getting the right level for research usually means talking the idea through with others, writing out your ideas as a brief proposal with clear aims, and getting more formal feedback at this stage. The more time that is put in now, the less will be spent feeling despondent in the future.
The size of the project – that is, the scope defined by the research question asked – will depend partly on:
- time available
- the availability of internal or external funding and support (e.g. grant money)
- whether this should be a pilot project or build on other things
- your research ‘sample’ and access to ‘subjects’
- whether the topic calls for cross-sectional or longitudinal designs and how this affects your availability and needs
- whether this is to meet a higher degree or not.
Thinking point
- You want to assess a workshop on stress management for young doctors. Think about what might be affected by this course. What are some of the smaller and larger questions you might ask and what are the levels of assessment you might consider to test them, from the smallest to the grandest?
Please see our suggested answers here.
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