The initial stage of the research process is choosing a research topic and developing it into a specific research question.  Most successful research projects are characterized by simple, focused research questions.

Your Research Topic

When choosing your research topic, there are three main considerations:

• What are you interested in studying?  You may choose a subject to research for a range of reasons:
  
• Personal or professional experience
• interest in an academic subject
• awareness of a gap in the literature
• a topic related to an ultimate career or professional goal
  
• What will fit your course requirements?
• Be sure to work with your advisor or professor to make sure the topic will align with course requirements or expectations regarding the scope of doctoral dissertations
  
• What are you able to study?
• What can you ethically research?
• What do you have the time and resources to study?
• What can you get access to study?
• Be sure that you have the data gathering capability required for your dissertation/project topic

Your Research Question

Why formulate an overall research question? 

• A clear question forms your aims and objectives and drives your choice of methodology and methods.  A research question keeps your research focused and goal-oriented.
• It focuses the formation of your research design and keeps your literature search on track.

These guidelines adapted from Whittaker, Andrew.  "Succeeding in Research Project Plans and Literature Reviews for Nursing Students." Exeter, UK: Learning Matters, 2011.