ABSTRACT
Perhaps the most important point in any research project is the clarity of the research question. You should aim to ask a very specifi c question to orient your work, and this question, in turn, will lead to hypotheses. As I will discuss, the question/hypothesis stage should involve the thinking and re-thinking of your ideas, and talking about them with others so as to clarify your thoughts. Th is process should not be rushed; it requires thought and refi nement. Th ere are many clichés that typify rushing through this process: An ounce of prevention . . . Trash in-trash out. Clichéd as they are, they do indeed describe the need to spend time and thought on refi ning a question.
