FIRST STEPS IN THE CONDUCT OF INOUIRY:
HOW TO GET RESEARCH STARTED%
Paul J. Gordon
Indiana University

Abstract

The purposes of this treatise are two. (One is to provide assurance
that difficulties in getting research started are ordinary. The other

is to set forth a way of working out of the uncertainties, ambiguities

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and elusiveness that can exist at the start. Consistent with the first
purpose, Part I poses two guestions. Why are first steps in the

conduct of inguiry so taxing? And why have people been so little

 forewarned? Consistent with the second purpose, Part II sets forth

two propositions. One is that the Z PEOCEBRES involved in working out.
of a poorly structured context at the start are similar in a great
variety of uncertain, ambiguous, judgmental and creative situations
in life. The other is that the guestions presented and discussed,

cycled and recycled, will help in working out of the apparent maze

involved in getting research started. "The intended readership is

noted at the outset. The special demands in writing were to discuss
the nebulous without being nebulous and the non-linear one page

at a time.

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in whole or in part without written permission of the author.