Category Archives: research question

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 , , , , , , | 3 Comments

bad research questions

Posted on March 19, 2018 by pat thomson

Writing a research question is hard. And it takes time. Often much more time that you might think. The research question is really important as it underpins your research design. And your  design allows you to find an answer or … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, research design, research question | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

PhD stuck points

Posted on February 19, 2018 by pat thomson

There are some points in the PhD process where the going gets pretty tough. Stuck points, where it’s hard work. Where it’s difficult to move on. Now don’t get me wrong. These points don’t cause grief to everyone. I’m not … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, data analysis, PhD, research design, research question, structure, stuck points, style and structure, thesis | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

refining your research topic – starting the phd

Posted on November 27, 2017 by pat thomson

Where do research topics come from? The research topic you have at the start of your PhD may come from work you did in your Masters. It may come from a professional or policy context, perhaps your own professional work … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, doctoral research, doctoral researcher, research design, research proposal, research question, research warrant, starting the PhD | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

#readingforwriting: being specific in qualitative research

Posted on July 10, 2017 by pat thomson

Every now and then patter offers a close-up of research writing. This near-sighted exercise is intended to illustrate how ‘reading for the writing’ can be helpful. This particular ‘reading for writing’ post looks at writing qualitative methods in a journal … Continue reading →

Posted in research methods, research plan, research project, research question, vagueness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

starting the PhD – don’t panic

Posted on October 19, 2015 by pat thomson

I was sitting in my office the other day talking with a beginning PhDer. A nearly-finished doctor popped her head around the door. I asked her what advice she would give someone just starting out on their doctorate, and her … Continue reading →

Posted in data, doctoral research, literature review, panic, questions, research question, thesis | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

thinking about research questions

Posted on September 8, 2014 by pat thomson

I’ve been asked a few times to post about research questions. My response up to now has been that there is already a lot out there on the topic and I’m not sure what I could add. But of course … Continue reading →

Posted in research, research design, research question | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

a different approach to research questions: a useful holiday read

Posted on December 30, 2013 by pat thomson

We don’t talk enough about research questions. Well, that’s according to the authors of a book I’ve just read. They are Mats Alvesson and Jorgen Sandberg, and the book is Constructing research questions: Doing interesting research (Sage 2013). Alvesson and … Continue reading →

Posted in gap-spotting, problematisation, questions, research question | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

getting research questions wrong – then right

Posted on October 3, 2013 by pat thomson

It’s the time of year when beginning doctoral researchers start to think about formulating their research proposals. In addition to reading a lot – to locate their study and find useful ideas and approaches – they also have to come … Continue reading →

Posted in Paul Trowler, PhD, research question | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments