Design: Team Nebula
By now, we have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of research. The next big question is—how do we actually begin?
A strong research process starts with formulating a hypothesis, testing it through experimental methods, and ultimately concluding whether a theory holds or not. Just like mastering any skill, conducting research requires first learning how to research. Research warrants the time to learn, and the foundation of all learning? That’s reading—lots and lots of reading!
As Dr. Seuss wisely put it:
The more you read,
The more things you will know,
The more you learn,
The more places you will go.
This quote rings even truer in the realm of research. Before delving into a study, one must thoroughly explore existing research papers to gain a clear understanding of the topic and the key questions to be addressed. Only then can we refine our research ideas and distinguish them from prior work. Identifying the problem, devising solutions, and using experiments to validate the best possible answer are all crucial steps before establishing a theory. Finally, research findings must be effectively communicated through a well-structured research paper and presentation. In this article, we will try to learn the ins and outs before starting a research paper.
Before drafting a research paper, certain technical skills are essential and certain steps need to be followed. These are—
Recall the solemn reverence of childhood classrooms, where every precious piece of knowledge, every vital homework assignment, was meticulously inscribed in your notebooks. Your notebook was your trusted companion holding the secrets to your learning, the key to your success. Now, your research demands the same: diligently record every insight, guidance, and observation. This is your intellectual lifeline.
Researchers must document valuable insights, methodologies, and feedback from peers in an organized manner in a notebook. This practice ensures a systematic record of the research journey.
Words are powerful tools for capturing the attention of a broad audience, and the same goes for research. Crafting a well-written research paper is crucial to communicating your findings effectively. To do so, it’s essential to master writing software, with LaTeX being the most prominent choice for its precision and professional formatting capabilities.
Other than qualitative research, data plays a crucial role in every aspect of research. To simplify interpretation, we rely on graphs and visual aids that make complex information more accessible. Additionally, data analysis is fundamental to research, making proficiency in statistical software like SPSS, R, SAS, or JMP essential. These tools help in data processing, enabling efficient analysis and gaining meaningful insights.
Next, you need to master the art of searching literature. And no, by literature I’m not referring to classic literature like Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Kafka’s Metamorphosis. I’m talking about research literature—the vast body of existing knowledge that serves as both a guide and a foundation for new studies. Each research paper contains a section called “literature review”.
A well-conducted literature review helps researchers understand existing work, identify gaps, develop theoretical frameworks, and shape the research design. To explore this wealth of information, we turn to platforms like Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus for access to scholarly papers. In addition to that, for efficient citation management, tools like Zotero or BibTeX can accomplish the task of organizing and citing references.
Suppose, after hours of painstaking work, you are finally done with your research paper. You have meticulously crafted each words But then—disaster strikes. A glitch in your computer sends it crashing, and when you finally regain access, your entire paper is gone. All that effort vanished in an instant and you are left feeling helpless.
To avoid this horrific situation, it's essential to put your research paper under version control. By learning tools like Git and Subversion, you can protect your hard work, track changes, and ensure your progress is always secure, no matter what happens.
You're all set to begin your research paper—so what are you waiting for? The time to start is now!
Reference:
- Hasan, R. (2016). গবেষণায় হাতেখড়ি (Embarking on Your Research Journey). Adarsha.