This chapter has provided an overview of the research process, which has been broken down into three phases (A, B, C) and eight steps, the details of which are covered in the remainder of this book. At each step the research model provides a variety of methods, models, techniques and procedures so that you can select the one most appropriate for your study. It is like a buffet party with eight tables, each with different dishes made from similar ingredients. You go to all eight tables and select the dish that you like the most from each table. The main difference between the model and this example is that in the model you select what is most appropriate for your study and not what you like the most. For a beginner it is important to go through all the steps, although perhaps not in the same sequence. With experience you can take a number of shortcuts.
The eight steps cover the complete spectrum of a research endeavour, from problem formulation through to writing a research report. The steps are operational in nature, following a logical sequence, and detailing the various methods and procedures in a simple step-by step manner