How can you avoid common mistakes when transferring and applying research skills?

1 Identify your research purpose and audience

Before you start any research project, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and who you want to reach with your findings. This will help you define your research question, scope, methods, and criteria. It will also help you tailor your research communication and dissemination to suit your audience's needs, expectations, and preferences. For example, if you are conducting a market research for a new product, you need to focus on the potential customers' problems, preferences, and feedback, and use appropriate channels and formats to convey your results.

3 Adapt your research design and methods

Research design and methods are not universal or neutral, but context-dependent and value-laden. You need to adapt your research design and methods to suit the specific features and requirements of your research topic, field, and situation. This will help you avoid bias, error, or irrelevance in your data and findings. For example, if you are applying your research skills to a new domain or discipline, you need to review the existing literature, theories, and frameworks, and consult with experts or stakeholders.

5 Reflect on your research process and outcomes

Research process and outcomes are not final or definitive, but provisional and iterative. You need to reflect on your research process and outcomes regularly and comprehensively, and use appropriate methods and formats. This will help you improve your research quality, impact, and learning. For example, if you are conducting a collaborative or participatory research project, you need to document your roles, responsibilities, and contributions, and share your feedback and insights.

6 Communicate your research effectively and ethically

Research communication is not optional or trivial, but essential and strategic. You need to communicate your research effectively and ethically to your intended audience, and use appropriate channels, formats, and styles. This will help you disseminate your research findings, recommendations, and implications, and engage your audience in dialogue and action. For example, if you are presenting your research at a conference or a publication, you need to follow the relevant guidelines, standards, and conventions.