Empowering your students to successfully complete their research project

Guest post by Charlotte Brookfield and Jamie Lewis

Undertaking a research project such as a dissertation or capstone can be one of the most rewarding aspects of a student’s degree programme. It provides them with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in their course to explore a topic of personal interest. It also enables them to develop independent research skills, a sought after competence among many employers. However, for many students, the experience can also feel daunting and at times, overwhelming.

Our recent book, Completing Your Research Project: A Guide for the Social Sciences, is designed as a companion guide for students who are embarking on their first research journey. It draws on our experience of developing and leading large dissertation modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as supervising many students through their research projects.

Importantly, the book is structured to mirror the research process itself — from developing research questions, through to collecting and analysing data, and finally presenting findings. Each chapter includes practical activities to help students make tangible progress with their research project and addresses some of the most common questions and concerns we hear from students.

The book also focuses on how to stay motivated throughout the research project. We recognise that resolve can dip at different stages, so we offer practical strategies to keep students on track. Here are some of our top tips:

Pick a Topic which Sparks Interest
While students may sometimes face limitations on their choice of research topic, where flexibility exists, we encourage them to select a topic that genuinely piques their interest. In any research project, there are likely to be lulls and having a strong personal interest in the topic can help sustain motivation. If students are unsure, one approach is to connect their project to a hobby or leisure pursuit. Alternatively, they might choose a topic related to their future career aspirations.

Start Writing Now
We encourage students to begin writing from the outset of their project. This does not mean they need to write full chapters immediately; even brief summaries of readings (around 100 words) or reflections on a day of data collection is a great start. Getting into the mode of writing early on helps students develop their academic voice and makes the final stages of writing feel far less intimidating.

Set Manageable Goals and Plan Rewards
Breaking the research project into smaller, achievable goals makes the overall process much more manageable. Examples of these goals include completing a literature review section, transcribing an interview, or finalising a dataset for analysis. Celebrating these milestones can help maintain momentum. Having something to look forward to after reaching a research milestone can be highly motivating. Rewards don’t have to be big and certainly not expensive. They might be as simple as watching a favourite TV series, spending time with friends and family, or treating themselves to their favourite meal.

Make the Most of Supervisions
A supervisor is the person who will know a student’s project best (apart from the student themselves!). We recommend that students come to supervisions prepared with specific questions or updates. Keeping a supervision log, setting goals for each meeting, and being transparent about any issues are simple but powerful ways to make these sessions as productive as possible. We encourage students to be active (and not passive) learners and come prepared to ask questions in supervision.

Record Skills Developed
Encouraging students to reflect on the skills which they have developed throughout their research project is incredibly valuable. These skills might include familiarity (or even proficiency) with a data analysis software programme, the ability to communicate research findings effectively, improved time management, critical thinking etc. etc. Keeping a record of these skills not only helps students recognise how far they have come—especially during moments of frustration—but also gives them a head start when it comes to writing CVs, cover letters, or preparing for job interviews.

If you would like to hear more about how to empower your students through their research projects— join us for our upcoming webinar on 3rd June 2025 at 5pm GMT.

Register for the webinar here.

We look forward to seeing you there!