Lakhasly

Scanning past projects within your university or college can be a useful way of generating ideas.A risk of relying too heavily on previous research and doing little original research to advance it; and settling on a dissertation or report that was originally weak in terms of topic choice, execution or some other criterion (to assist with this aspect, it may be possible to find out how 'good' such pieces of work were by talking to tutors).Riley et al. (2000: 32) highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of referring to previous projects: o Advantages.

Scanning past projects within your university or college can be a useful way of generating
ideas. In addition to differences in subject, previous research projects also differ in terms
of approach. This can help you to start thinking about your own methodology as well as
research topic. As a general rule, universities and colleges do not reveal marks of past
projects. Therefore, in some cases it may prove difficult to determine the quality of work.
Riley et al. (2000: 32) highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of referring to
previous projects:
• Advantages. The possibility of advancing and/or developing a previous piece of
research; and locating a piece of research where external contacts and
respondents who participated in the research may be willing to help again.
• Disadvantages. A risk of relying too heavily on previous research and doing little
original research to advance it; and settling on a dissertation or report that was
originally weak in terms of topic choice, execution or some other criterion (to
assist with this aspect, it may be possible to find out how ‘good’ such pieces of
work were by talking to tutors).