Learning about a phenomenon and forming hypotheses are the foundations of a research study. 

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It is important to have a thorough understanding of the research area, as you must be sure the questions you are asking are appropriate and addressing gaps in the current knowledge. 

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To make sure your research is inclusive from the very beginning, consider these actions:

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- 1 -

Read widely. Look at the literature you have covered so far and consider the authors- for example, it is easy to only read research from the Global North without even realising! Your reading should cover research from insititutions around the world and from a diverse range of identities. If applicable, look for research conducted by people with lived experience of the topic.

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If your reading is inclusive of all identities, you will have a far greater understanding of the topic than if you focus on only the 'key' publications. 

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- 2 -

Consider if your hypotheses overlook any groups, or inherently make assumptions that are not generalisable.

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- 3 -

Think about the data you will need to collect to test your hypotheses. Are the 'standard' techniques or methodologies appropriate?

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