ABSTRACT
In this chapter we describe how to establish a research study that will answer questions about a problem that matters to a particular audience. Reviewing previously published studies and identifying relevant theoretical frameworks can help ensure that the research problem hasn’t already been solved by earlier research efforts. A clear problem statement and need for the study, once articulated, should lead to research questions—be they a priori or emergent in nature. We outline how to choose an appropriate methodology to inform the research design and discuss which methodologies tend to be used, or avoided, in studies of online talk. We also introduce criteria by which the quality of a research study can be assessed. Finally, we distinguish between researcher-influenced (designed) online talk and pre-existing online talk, and how this will impact the research.
