ABSTRACT
There are several quite distinct stages in the development and conduct of a research project. Having decided on the objectives of the survey, or having been given the terms of reference, at least five major steps can be identified. First, consideration must be given to the method of data collection to be employed. Following this, decisions need to be taken about the kinds of data to be collected and the form in which they are to be collected. Where the basic method is to be a survey, a principal concern will be the design of the questionnaire. The fourth stage involves the drawing of a sample, so as to obtain data which are representative of the population that is being examined. Finally, there are the steps to be taken in data analysis. In the Birmingham project the report was fully comprehensive as to the aspects of work covered and presented as an academic report suitable for publication.
