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What do you need to know?

 Researching

This stage is made of intermediary steps; identifying keywords, finding materials (library or Web), selecting materials to support the assignment question and assessing materials for relevance, suitability and value. You may not find the first two difficult, but sometimes students have problems with selecting materials and assessing them for relevance.

 Selecting relevant materials

As you read around the assignment question, it's likely that you will find materials that interest you personally, but have little to do with the assignment question. It can be very difficult to let go of those and to be ruthless and discard them! Learning to focus on relevant materials only is an important skill.

 Brainstorm twice

A second brainstorm is probably needed after you have read a few books or articles; you should have noticed that you have expanded your knowledge, and that you are able to identify new ideas and make new connections.

 Assessing reading materials

Assessing reading materials is a key skill of postgraduate study, and is probably one of the most difficult to acquire. You will need to read critically. For more advice on this, look in the sections on self-development and assessing student performance in the Study Guide (doc) (1mb).

 You are entitled to an opinion

Part of the task of assessing the literature is learning not to be swayed by what established researchers and authors have to say. Though the authors we recommend are reputable ones, you are totally entitled to disagree with their views, or to think that their views apply in certain contexts but not in yours. Or, you might decide that they have overlooked something. However, it is important to support your views, based either on your professional practice or on what other authors have written.

When presented with concepts or theories you are unfamiliar with, evaluate your response along a simple scale:

•  Do you want to adopt the idea wholesale to improve your practice?
•  Can you adapt the idea in some way, to reflect your work context?
•  Will you reject the idea as unsuitable or unworkable?

Whatever you decide, make sure that your decision is a conscious one, and that the assignment reflects this choice in some way.