The Research Process

Completing an independent project can sometimes seem like a daunting task. For this reason, it can help to see work as accomplishing intermediate goals or milestones.

Milestones, together with appropriate time-lines, will be negotiated with supervisors within a month of registration, and renegotiated through the period of candidature.

Using these milestones, general aims and specific tasks should be negotiated for each anticipated year of study. The annual reporting process should take into account progress in achieving these aims and tasks.

In addition, the frequency and nature of contacts with supervisors (which will help to achieve the milestones) should be agreed upon early in the candidature and revisited regularly.

You should think about the Research Process as an Intellectual Journey as well as an Emotional Journey.

Note: The nature of a study project and the form in which it will be written up will differ from one discipline area to another. Further expected milestones have been outlined by each Faculty.

• Isolation and the Emotional Rollercoaster
• Research Graduate Attributes

Last reviewed: 20 February, 2007