Research Planning Questionnaire

 This questionnaire is designed to help postgraduate students gain clarity in identifying a broad research area, conducting a literature review, and identifying research gaps. 

Answering these questions will guide you through key steps and considerations in the early stages of your research.

Section 1: Identification of Broad Research Area

  1. Self-Assessment and Interest Exploration:

    • Which subjects or topics have you enjoyed the most during your coursework?
    • Do you have any personal interests or passions that align with potential research topics? If yes, list them.
    • What are your long-term career goals, and how can your research support them?
    • Are there specific industries or sectors you wish to contribute to through your research?

  2. Current Trends and Innovations:

    • Have you reviewed the latest trends in your field of study? What are the emerging technologies or challenges in your discipline?
    • Can you list three current issues or innovations in your field that interest you the most?
    • Have you explored recent research papers or industry reports on these topics? (Yes/No)
    • What keywords or topics have you searched for during your initial exploration of literature?

  3. Consulting Experts and Mentors:

    • Have you consulted with your academic advisor or professors about your research interests? (Yes/No)
    • Did they suggest any broad research areas that you could explore further?
    • Have you reached out to any industry professionals or attended conferences for insights on real-world challenges? (Yes/No)
    • If yes, what were the key insights or recommendations you received from them?

  4. Narrowing Down Your Focus:

    • After initial exploration, can you identify a broad research area you are most interested in? Please describe.
    • What subfields within this area seem promising to you for further exploration?
    • Have you considered the feasibility of research in this area (availability of data, resources, lab facilities, etc.)? (Yes/No)
    • Do you think your chosen area is too broad or too narrow? Explain briefly.

  5. Setting Preliminary Objectives:

    • What is the preliminary objective of your research? Are you aiming to:
      • Explore an existing phenomenon?
      • Solve a specific problem?
      • Improve an existing method or process?
    • What makes this research area novel or unique compared to existing studies?

Section 2: Conducting a Literature Review

  1. Starting the Literature Review:

    • Have you identified key sources (journals, databases, books) for your literature review? (Yes/No)
    • How many research papers or articles have you reviewed so far in your chosen area?
    • Have you identified any prominent researchers or institutions working in this field? List them if applicable.
    • Do you find any recurring themes, theories, or methods across the literature? What are they?

  2. Analyzing and Synthesizing Literature:

    • Have you categorized the literature based on themes, methodologies, or outcomes? (Yes/No)
    • Are there any conflicting viewpoints or gaps in the current research that stand out to you?
    • What methodologies are commonly used in the literature you have reviewed?
    • Have you identified areas that need further exploration or improvement based on the literature review? Briefly describe them.

Section 3: Identifying the Research Gap

  1. Recognizing Unexplored Areas:

    • After reviewing the literature, what are the key areas where further research is needed?
    • Can you identify any limitations in the existing studies (e.g., outdated data, lack of coverage in certain geographical regions, etc.)?
    • Are there technological or methodological advancements that could be applied to address these gaps?
    • How does your research plan to address these gaps or limitations?

  2. Defining the Research Gap:

    • What specific gap have you identified that your research will address?
    • Why is it important to address this gap? What impact could it have on your field of study or the industry?
    • Does your research gap align with current challenges or opportunities in your discipline? (Yes/No)
    • How will your research contribute to advancing knowledge or solving a problem in your chosen field?

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