Download a glossary of terms used in this course.
As a doctoral or Master's degree researcher, you will be contributing to a field of research. This means that you will conduct investigations to build on an existing body of knowledge and expand collective understanding of a given topic. As a researcher, you will typically achieve this through the design and delivery of research projects.
This module will focus on framing your research as a 'project' with multiple work packages or phases, so that you can compartmentalise your efforts into parcels of work that are not overwhelming to achieve. This type of organisational approach to delivering research outcomes can significantly improve research productivity.
The following content explores the key characteristics of a research project:
Project characteristics
- Is time-limited
- Has a beginning and an end
- Has a defined scope and resources
- Ends when delivering expected outcomes, or when it is no longer relevant or needed
- Produces unique knowledge, results, products or services
Research projects are rarely linear and straightforward and can be complex and dynamic. They can involve:
- Singular or multiple goals or
deliverables - Various
steps ,stages orphases - Diverse research teams or solo research
- Multiple
stakeholders - Different levels of risk and complexity
- Part-time or full-time research.
In academia, research projects are usually driven by a hypothesis or research question. Projects can be overseen by a single lead, often called the 'project manager', or by collaborative teams that work within or between groups or institutions to achieve a common project goal. If you are a solo researcher, you will probably manage your project from start to completion, with support from your supervisors and possibly more experienced postgraduates or postdoctoral researchers in your field.
Regardless of the type of project, in order to complete your doctoral or Master's research you will need to coordinate tasks, people and priorities, recognising that changes may need to be made in response to setbacks and unexpected issues that impact progress. These will be specific to your discipline and project focus.
Move through the screens and learn about the research projects of Alex, Maya and Rafael, three researchers who will appear throughout this course. Answer the questions that follow each project and consider the feedback.
Continue on to learn about the research projects of Alex, Maya and Rafael, three researchers who will appear throughout this course. Consider the question that follows each project, select your answer and then continue on for feedback.
Alex, humanities
I am researching the cultural context of contemporary Aboriginal acrylic dot painting, especially in relation to its appropriation for the international fine art market. I am planning to interview Aboriginal artists to explore Indigenous perspectives on the production and reception of such artistic practices, and their importance for cultural continuity and identity.
Which of the following areas is likely to be most complex in Alex's project?
Diverse stakeholders, including both artists and art dealers, will mean Alex needs to be mindful and respectful of differing viewpoints and preferred ways of engaging in the research process. This should be addressed in Alex's application for ethics approval.
Diverse stakeholders, including both artists and art dealers, will mean Alex needs to be mindful and respectful of differing viewpoints and preferred ways of engaging in the research process. This should be addressed in Alex's application for ethics approval.
Diverse stakeholders, including both artists and art dealers, will mean Alex needs to be mindful and respectful of differing viewpoints and preferred ways of engaging in the research process. This should be addressed in Alex's application for ethics approval.
Diverse stakeholders, including both artists and art dealers, will mean Alex needs to be mindful and respectful of differing viewpoints and preferred ways of engaging in the research process. This should be addressed in Alex's application for ethics approval.
Maya, STEM
I am researching how a known cancer gene can dysregulate the cell cycle. I will be collaborating with colleagues from two different groups that have the right types of cells, and the analysis tools, to best understand how mutations to this gene might cause cancerous growth. The second focus of the work will be to test our findings in an animal model together with specialists in this field. The work is funded by a cancer charity.
Which of the following issues is likely to be the most complex in Maya's project?
Maya's research project will be complex because it involves a large research team, operating over multiple stages, with high risk.
Maya's research project will be complex because it involves a large research team, operating over multiple stages, with high risk.
Maya's research project will be complex because it involves a large research team, operating over multiple stages, with high risk.
Maya's research project will be complex because it involves a large research team, operating over multiple stages, with high risk.
Rafael, social sciences
I am researching the impacts that modern technologies have on communities and how they socialise. I am looking at historical records over the last 20 years in two regional governments and relating them to a survey that I will conduct comparing respondents from different age groups. I will be able to survey over a long time frame, given that I am completing my Ph.D. part-time and my project will run over six years.
Which of the following issues presents the most risk in Rafael's project?
In Rafael's project, risk lies predominantly with the success of the survey. This type of project holds some complexity given that it is both retrospective and survey based. The complexity of the team depends on the model that Rafael will follow in pursuing the research.
In Rafael's project, risk lies predominantly with the success of the survey. This type of project holds some complexity given that it is both retrospective and survey based. The complexity of the team depends on the model that Rafael will follow in pursuing the research.
In Rafael's project, risk lies predominantly with the success of the survey. This type of project holds some complexity given that it is both retrospective and survey based. The complexity of the team depends on the model that Rafael will follow in pursuing the research.
In Rafael's project, risk lies predominantly with the success of the survey. This type of project holds some complexity given that it is both retrospective and survey based. The complexity of the team depends on the model that Rafael will follow in pursuing the research.
Good management practices are needed to be able to tackle the various challenges that invariably impact research projects. The scenarios above explore a range of challenges, but the breadth of postgraduate research practice is such that it is unlikely that they will map directly onto your research project. This is why it is worth reflecting on the characteristics of your project in advance, to help you identify the most suitable management approach. Use the 'Resource bank' at the end of this module to explore different types of research projects.