F.I.R.S.T. Tutorial

Chapter One: Preparing for Research
In this chapter: Developing a research strategy and a topic, background reading, identifying keywords, using synonyms and related words

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Chapter One: Preparing for Research

Strategy. In any undertaking, strategy and tactics are an essential component of success. Yet, when we approach a research project, we often neglect to develop our own strategy for completing it, and instead proceed haphazardly, in spurts, without an overall plan of attack.

The first three chapters of this tutorial discuss the essential elements of a research strategy, and how you can develop one that will work for you and improve your results.

Objectives of this chapter:

After completing this chapter, you should be able to:

  • explain the importance of developing a research strategy
  • develop a good topic
  • use background reading to expand your knowledge of a topic
    compose a research question
  • define "keywords" and identify the keywords in a research question
  • identify synonyms and related concepts for your keywords

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