How do you manage a research project lifecycle?

Identifying the objectives and scope is crucial for any research project. In my opinion, the key to narrow down the scope to achievable targets is understanding the limitations. These could be timeframe, funding, or other resources. We often tend to overestimate our capabilities in defining the scope, leading to rushed results and inconsistent outputs. It is therefore important to prepare a detailed outline of 'what', 'why', and 'how' for your research question right at the beginning.

I have found the narrower the scope of the objective for research the easier it is to have confidence in your conclusions provided the data upon which you rely is readily available or capable of discovery through investigation. As the scope of any research project and the generalities of anticipated conclusions broadens the diversity and often disparity of data required to substantiate and validate your findings becomes more problematic. This conflict is germane to almost all research and explains why so many studies (in many disciplines) seem so myopic in their findings but are the product of the practical limitations of arriving at broad conclusions with accuracy and certainty.

The scope and objectives of each project need to be defined as early as possible. Scope brings direction and motivation towards the project so that the stakeholders and teammates can relate to the project and realise the outcome of the project at a personal and global level. Most of the time, with limited background stakeholders (investors, regulators, business partners), don't understand the rationale of the project but with a clear scope, they can grasp the outcome of the project and commit to it. Objectives are necessary footsteps of any project to create achievable short-term goals and fulfilment of the project within the stipulated timeline. Objectives help to communicate ambitious projects in realistic steps and make them simple.

A clear and realistic scope always sets the foundation of a research project. One of the biggest mistakes I have constantly made on independent projects is to have a very broad scope that I cannot possibly research completely within a specific time. Therefore, it is important to identify the constraints first (i.e. time, resources, money, etc) and then adjust the scope based on your resources and constraints.

Project planning is crucial be it any kind of project. - Project charter which includes scope *Deliverables, inclusions, and exclusions - Schedule - Resources - Budget - Quality - Risks - Communication All these should be as realistic as possible.

The methodology to execute a successful research project may vary with individuals (PI, team leads) and agencies (Academic and Industry) but the basic framework remains the same. One can follow the objectives and complete the project stepwise where the outcome of the first objective creates a base for the second objective, however, this may not help to maintain the complete project timeline. It would be better if one could identify stressors and limiting factors and prioritise them. Real-time data collection and interpretation will help to evaluate results with current peer-reviewed published work. It is always good to use multiple smart tools and software to analyse data to remove human bias and restrain oneself from being a perfectionist.

There are hundreds of project management software out there. I always say simple is better. Agile is one of the best methods for collecting feedback and working remotely. It also enables development teams to react to feedback quickly to make changes at each sprint and product cycle.

I firmly believe that they key to a successful research project is "reading" what is already out there. While it is easier to work on methodologies and frameworks for areas that have previously been researched upon, the challenge to design methodological frameworks specific to your research questions can become easier if you read, observe, and analyze existing methodologies that work for research areas closely related to yours. Another major concern is that we tend to undervalue our capabilities to experiment with "new methods" and ascribe too much value to scientifically proven methods. There is an array of new technologies, tools, and techniques being developed globally, everyday, so we must trust our capabilities to achieve our targets.

Designing the approach is a continual process that only ends when the outcomes of the pilot experiment provide a new viewpoint on the phenomenon. Continuous fine-tuning of this stage of the research will decide the rigor of such methodology, making the research more scientific and less vulnerable to criticism. As a result, we should not be concerned if this stage takes a long time before proceeding with the research.

We need to determine the research type which could be inductive, deductive or abductive. Do we have some proposition or we are going to use a model and theory to apply to a new context? Is the research qualitative, qualitative or mixed method? Accordingly we could choose questionary or interview for data gathering.

In the realm of research, the purpose driving data collection is of utmost importance. Well-defined objectives serve as the compass, ensuring that this process remains purposeful and avoids aimless information gathering. Moreover, meticulous data analysis methods and best practices play a pivotal role. Researchers must carefully select techniques, whether quantitative or qualitative, that align seamlessly with their research objectives. Maintaining systematic data organization and documentation is crucial for transparency and validity. Leveraging software tools enhances efficiency in the analysis, ultimately leading to findings that make meaningful contributions to the broader body of knowledge.

I find descriptive Statistics a very important first step to understand and gather the data. Data visualization contributes to both communication and the generation if future hypotheses.

Data generation, collection and analysis are three steps of a planned experiment. The outcome of an experiment would be noble but data collection and analysis aren't changed much. We still use the same analytical tool to filter signals from noise and generate good-quality data. It is always difficult for the evaluator to accept new sets of data without a comparison with standard practices. A TEM image would add value to the gold nanoparticle structure but the UV-vis spectrum consolidates the findings. Advanced methods of data collection and analysis should be interpretable to standard practices. It would always be recommended to communicate the findings effectively in small data sets which support each other with proper documentation.

Data collecting is a distinct and nuanced procedure. At each step, you must clear your mind of any preconceived assumptions or concepts. Allow the data to guide you to the findings of your investigation. With greater transparency in your data collecting techniques, you have the possibility to uncover multiple findings for your research goals.

Once data is properly collected, one must apply a thorough method of analysis to communicate and translate the findings into understandable concepts and statements.

Results change over time, and that’s why it’s important to monitor and control the progress of a research project as factors and variable are subject to alternation. Doing so will avoid surprises and lead to the formation of a proper system of analysis.

In research, the vigilant monitoring and control of a project's progress and quality play a pivotal role. This entails continuously tracking milestones, assessing data quality, promptly addressing issues, and effectively managing any scope adjustments that may arise. Clear communication and well-defined roles within the research team are essential for ensuring accountability. Regular risk assessments help proactively manage unforeseen challenges. This rigorous oversight not only ensures alignment with project objectives but also maintains transparency and minimizes the risk of delays or conflicts, ultimately enhancing the overall quality and success of the research undertaking.

I believe that assessing the amount of time spent on each phase of the experiment is a useful statistic for showcasing the research's progress. Professional researchers are quite good at managing their time. PhD candidates are frequently caught in a bind. On the one hand, they are eager to carry forward with the research, but the reality is discouraging, particularly for those whose preliminary results are not promising. Novice researchers must be assisted and guided in order to learn how to time manage their study and get the desired results.

While assessing and reflecting on the quality of the present project, it is of utmost importance to acknowledge shortcomings honestly and directly. In fact, in my experience, this distinguishes good from outstanding work: if the researcher is willing to mention their flaws and reflect upon them in a mature and self-aware way, this actually opens up exciting avenues for follow-ups, helps to put the results into perspective, and overall increase the quality of the work. Moreover, this honesty will make me appreciate all the hard work that certainly went into producing the output I am reading in that moment, plus lets me know that I am likely able to trust other information in this paper in a deeper way.

In the context of research, it's vital to effectively share your findings and recommendations. Ensure that your results are clear and accessible to stakeholders, and evaluate and document the lessons learned and best practices. Sharing these insights with the relevant audience fosters learning and improvement while demonstrating the value of your research.

This is important, one should be ready to take go no go decision based on data / outcome rather get attach to project and wasting resources

This procedure serves two purposes: the first is to demonstrate how far this research can go in the future, and the second is to demonstrate how valuable the results are to the larger community of researchers. If neither of these outcomes is obtained from the study, the researcher may reassess the scope and technique of the study. This demonstrates the significance of the initial stages of any investigation.

Be prepared for failures and unexpected results. 'Chance favors a prepared mind'. Don't be shy of sharing negative results that have scientific rigor. Always be ready with 'alternative strategies'. Most of the well planned projects have this section that provides an alternative roadmap to unforseeable problems and results. This also reflects your domain expertise and refines your capability to predict alternate results/problems. Its always good if you can suggest possible solutions as well.

What is missing here is the assemble of a research team and effectively managing it. What I have learned from my own experience is that managing a research team is not something that comes naturally with everyone. You need to learn about it.

Allow yourself to step away from the research. Take the time to involve the communities and constituents who will benefit from the data. Having voices from the community can often provide insights and revelations that you would not have explored otherwise. This will allow your research to advance significantly.

It seems to me that all of these are important for projects. In the context of science, being specific with a goal and defining clear boundaries is vital. Research and data collection need to be a sound fit for the specific study, and when results are compiled, the conclusion follows those.