ABSTRACT
This chapter looks briefly at the pitfalls we may encounter when planning, conducting, and writing up a research project. It looks at the specific pitfalls we may encounter in each of the following six areas of the research process: problem formulation, use of models, analysis, synthesis, implementation, and evaluation. When faced with the task of defining a problem in the context of research, most of us have a tendency of wanting to find a definition (a problem formulation) as quickly as possible. Models can be of great help when developing and implementing a research project. However, if reality is changing rapidly, our models can easily become outdated. In other words, it is not the problem that has to fit with the model but rather the other way around. The analysis must always be considered within the context of the problem as it is formulated.
