Category Archives: research decisions

the risk of research feature creep

Posted on September 30, 2019 by pat thomson

I’ve recently been reading a design manual – don’t ask – and came across the term feature creep. Designers define feature creep as “a continuous expansion or addition of new features”. And this feature creep is a problem. The term … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, feature creep, research, research as process, research decisions, research design | Tagged feature creep, Pat Thomson, research, research risks | 1 Comment

theory fright – part two

Posted on November 19, 2018 by pat thomson

Theory is explanation. Last post I suggested that this understanding might help to reduce fear of theory. This week, another piece in the fright reduction puzzle. Something else that might help reduce fear of theory is the understanding that not every … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, aims, explanation, research decisions, research question, theory | Tagged Jon Nixon, Pat Thomson, research aims, research purposes, researcher choice, theory, theory fright | 3 Comments

what is a ‘research warrant’? #knowhow

Posted on August 7, 2015 by pat thomson

The notion of a warrant is important in research. It helps to know what the term means, particularly if you get asked a question about your research warrant in, say, a conference presentation or supervision tutorial. Most dictionaries define a … Continue reading →

Posted in evidence, research decisions, research design, research methods, research warrant | Tagged Pat Thomson, research warrant | 5 Comments

what did I do? – the research diary

Posted on November 10, 2014 by pat thomson

I’ve got an OK memory. Most of the time I can summon up the details that I need to remember, when I need to remember them – passwords, deadlines, the way home. But I do struggle to recall all of the … Continue reading →