ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a general framework for carrying out postgraduate research, illustrated where appropriate with examples. In talking of research strategy one wish to emphasize the need for a planned and systematic approach; however, this needs to be paired with the flexibility to cope with unforeseen developments. The setting of objectives is of overriding importance; they guide the whole research process. Most research aims to provide answers or solutions to some kind of research ‘problem’. Before a problem can be answered or solved, though, it has to be adequately formulated. Problem-finding is often preceded by the identification of a broad topic area of research, such as technological change, divorce, labour productivity, road- traffic planning, pre-school education, demographic change, or child abuse. Concepts are propositions which suggest that a phenomenon should be viewed in a certain way.
