In the last post, I suggested strategies to help you find a topic. With a broad idea in mind, begin to narrow the topic until you have a specific research question. Do this by exploring what others have done that is related to your topic (conduct a significant review of the current primary literature). Where are the gaps in the research? What knowledge is missing? Do the authors recommend any additional research that might be appropriate for your project? What additional ideas do you have? Now, complete the following sentence: "We don't know __________, so I need to do __________."
For example, "We don't know why E.coli levels in streams increase during periods of heavy rainfall.” So, we need to investigate whether E. coli is entering the stream as a result of soil erosion and run-off, whether the E. coli is lodged in the sediments and becoming suspended during periods of increased flow and hydraulics, or whether some other mechanism is causing the increase.”
Based on the completed sentence, develop a research question.The research question is, “What is the mechanism causing increased levels of E. coli in streams during precipitation events?” Additionally, you might ask, “How can we control the level of E. coli in streams to reduce the risk associated with this potential pathogen?”
Next, ask yourself what resources will you need? Are they accessible to you? What skills do you have, or will you need to acquire to accomplish the work you propose? How much time can you spend on the project each day/week/month? Ask yourself questions like, “Is there a seasonality to this project”? “Who are the stakeholders and how might they be involved?” “What size does the project have to be to provide sufficient data for a meaningful analysis?” “What methods should be used (including statistical approaches)”? “What is the timeline”? “What limitations do I have?” “What are the challenges that I might face”?
As you work through these questions, create a short (1- 2 pages), well-written project overview explaining your research question, justifying why the work needs to be done, and briefly describing how you might accomplish it. Share the document with another person(s) and ask for feedback. Revise, if needed.
In the next blog we will discuss how to use this project overview to approach a potential research director. If you are finding these Blogs helpful or have a request for a blog topic, please send your comments to Renee at gracon1@illinois.edu.
