Preliminary reading is background reading which will help you start to become more focused in your thinking and perhaps help to formulate a more concrete research idea.
If you are considering a topic you have already studied as part of your course, it may be useful to re-read your lecture notes and recommended reading to refamiliarise yourself with the content.
The vides below provides guidance on using the library catalogue for your preliminary reading:
As you continue to read, it may be useful to categorise your findings by asking the following questions.
| What is known about your topic area? | Core knowledge, emerging knowledge, trends. |
| What approaches and perspectives have other researchers taken? | Concepts, theories and models; studies and case studies. |
| How did they do it? | Could you use or adapt their methods, approaches, or working tools? |
Williams (2018, p.29)
Punch (2006) argues for five 'Levels of Abstraction' to help guide your reading. By ensuring that you are clear on each stage you can narrow or widen the focus of your reading and research.
Punch, K (2006) Developing Effective Research Proposals. 2nd Edition. London: SAGE.
Williams, K. (2018) Planning Your Dissertation. 2nd Edition. London: Red Global Press.