In this class, we mapped out the entire research‑design process, starting with how to frame a clear, focused research question and moving through the steps of a robust literature review. We examined the main types of reviews: systematic, narrative, meta‑analysis, umbrella, descriptive, and realist, highlighting when each is appropriate and how to synthesise sources rather than merely list them. From there, we explored the characteristics of different question formats (comparative, exploratory, explanatory, evaluative, interpretive) and discussed how a well‑crafted question guides both literature selection and methodological choices.
We then compared qualitative and quantitative approaches, outlining their data types, validity criteria, and typical methods. The session emphasised linking theoretical perspectives (e.g., feminist, post‑colonial, constructivist) to concrete methodological frameworks, showing how this alignment boosts credibility. Finally, we reviewed practical tools for searching scholarly sources, mapping research frameworks, and planning milestones, including the draft literature‑review deadline on 17 April.