Conducting a successful research study involves four separate stages:

Once you have identified the main topic and keywords for your research, find one or more sources of background information to read. These sources will help you understand the broader context of your research and tell you in general terms what is known about your topic.

  Figure 6. Find out what information already exists

IMPORTANT: Existing information (for example census statistics) is known as secondary data and primary is the collection of new data.