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How to Approach Your Research Project for the New Academic Year

Writer's picture: Lounette Graaff ElsLounette Graaff Els

A new academic year brings fresh opportunities, and if you’re tackling a research project, now is the perfect time to start strong. Whether you’re working on a thesis, dissertation or a smaller research paper, having a clear plan will save you stress and ensure you produce high-quality work - something you can be proud of. Here’s how to approach your research project step by step and set yourself up for success.


Define Your Research Topic Clearly

  • Your research topic should be specific, relevant and feasible within your timeframe.

  • If your topic is too broad, you’ll struggle to focus. If it’s too narrow, you may not find enough sources.

  • Discuss your initial ideas with your supervisor, professor or peers to refine your focus.

  • Choose something that interests YOU. You will be spending a lot of time with your research; therefore, it should be a topic that you enjoy and feel motivated to pursue.


Example

❌ Too broad: "The impact of social media on mental health."✅ Refined topic: "How Instagram use influences self-esteem in university students aged 18-25."


Conduct a Thorough Literature Review

Before you start writing, understand what’s already been studied. Build on existing research. This helps you:

  • Avoid duplicating research

  • Identify gaps in the literature

  • Establish a theoretical framework

Where to find reliable sources?

  • Google Scholar (scholar.google.com)

  • University library databases (EBSCO, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, etc.)

  • Reference lists from key journal articles


Tip: Use a reference management tool (Zotero, Mendeley or EndNote) to organise your sources and citations. Note that automated tools still make mistakes, especially with formatting according to certain style guides. Mindful Connections Research can assist with a reference check.


Plan Your Research Methodology

How will you collect and analyse data?

  • Qualitative research (Interviews, focus groups, thematic analysis)

  • Quantitative research (Surveys, experiments, statistical analysis)

  • Mixed methods (Combining qualitative & quantitative approaches)

Discuss your methodology with your supervisor to ensure it aligns with your research question.


Tip: If you’re conducting surveys or interviews, start early—getting ethical clearance and participant responses can take time! DO NOT underestimate the data analysis process. Whether you are doing quantitative or qualitative, analyses can take up a lot of time - especially for novel researchers.


Set Up a Realistic Timeline

Create a research timeline with deadlines for each stage, for example:

  • Month 1-2: Literature review and topic refinement

  • Month 2-4: Develop methodology and submit ethical approval (if needed)

  • Month 5-6: Data collection

  • Month 6-8: Data analysis

  • Month 8-10: Writing and revising chapters

  • Final Month: Editing, proofreading, and final submission


Tip: Use Trello, Asana, or a simple spreadsheet to track progress and stay organised. Do not leave editing and proofreading till the final two weeks. Most editors require 3-4 weeks to conduct a proper edit.


Maintain a Consistent Writing Routine

Don’t wait until the last minute!

  • Set weekly writing goals (e.g., “Write 500 words per day”).

  • Draft as you go—don’t aim for perfection in the first draft.

  • Take breaks to avoid burnout. Writing research can be exhausting so pacing yourself is crucial.


Tip: Use the Pomodoro technique—work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, repeat.


Get Feedback Early and Often

  • Meet regularly with your supervisor for guidance.

  • Join study groups or research communities for peer support.

  • Seek academic editing or proofreading services to refine your work.


Tip: Mindful Research offers professional academic editing to ensure your writing is clear, structured, and academically sound. Contact us.


Prepare for Unexpected Challenges

Things don’t always go as planned.

  • Technical issues? Back up your files on Google Drive or OneDrive.

  • Writer’s block? Change your environment or talk through ideas with a peer.

  • Tight deadlines? Prioritise and adjust your schedule as needed.


Tip: Keep a research journal to track your progress, reflections, and setbacks—it helps you stay accountable and can be a valuable tool for qualitative reflexivity and enhancing trustworthiness.


Final Thoughts

Starting your research project early, staying organised, and seeking support when needed will set you up for success. Whether you’re a first-time researcher or completing a major thesis, these steps will help you stay on track, reduce stress and produce high-quality work.




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