The research process and Research Toolbox

A research work plan is next developed. Here, the how? question, briefly addressed in the proposal, is expanded upon. Detail issues such as when? (time schedule), by whom? (personnel needed), with what? (necessary equipment) and at what cost? (payment schedule) are now dealt with.

The actual research work must then be conducted by acquiring, storing and interpreting data. Lastly, your results must be made known through a research document. The above-mentioned "generic" elements of the research process are given in Figure 1.

These elements never follow each other in a linear fashion. For example, the literature survey is often on-going throughout the research process. The research problem as stated in the proposal is also frequently re-defined as more insight is gained. Usually, this means that the work plan must also be updated.

Furthermore, it may be useful to start writing the research report while the work is in progress. However, as a book is read in a linear fashion, the elements of the research process will be discussed sequentially in this manual.

When conducting the literature survey for RESEARCH TOOLBOX and this manual, it became very obvious to us that most mental activities follow the same process. In other words, you could also use RESEARCH TOOLBOX for general consulting work, developing strategies, writing novels, doing school projects, etc.

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