Research Skills Programme (RSP) Lecture

• OU61: How Not To Do Research

  So, you want to launch a research project, but you’ve never done this before. You might be asking yourself: “What do I need to know?” I propose a different framing: “What do I need to know not to do?” In this lecture, I will attempt to prepare you (in a somewhat roundabout way) for carrying out a typical research project by way of surfacing common pitfalls before they happen. I will touch on several points in the timeline of a typical project, covering a variety of research-related activities and their associated gaffes, ones habitual to those new to research (and of uncertain origin) that are generally obvious in hindsight and should be avoided. Note: Focused on human participant research but good for everyone to know.

  Easter 2026: Moodle | Slides