Introduction > Getting Started in Science > If You're Having Problems > Help Sheet

Help Sheet In many cases you will be told the broad area in which you need to undertake research. However, if you have been given a free choice of topic, for example for your final year project, but are struggling to identify a research question on which to focus then the following may help to structure your thoughts. (Click here if you would like to print these points out as a checklist in hard copy.) Have you been provided with topic guidelines? If so what are they? What topics have you enjoyed studying or are interested to learn more about? Write down the research topics which you are aware of that take place in your Department Are there any topics (if known) which are relevant to your future career aspirations? Are there any skills that you feel it would be useful for you to develop further? Are there any areas of research that do not interest you? Do you have access to research projects from students in previous years? If so, are there any that are of particular interest? Now you have some ideas on what you are/are not interested in, and the research that's currently going on in your department, who will you approach to discuss you ideas?

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