Once you have an idea for your research, please consider the following steps:
A One-Pager can be useful to provide a clear overview of the project. It serves as a quick reference point for stakeholders, potential collaborators and it allows to identify relevant founding sources.
A One-Pager can also serve as a starting point for more detailed pitching of projects, discussions and planning.
- Clarify the idea – think about objectives and outcome.
- Answer questions: What? Why? How? Who can benefit from the project? How big is a project? What is your ambition? How big is the budget? What partners do you need? How many partners do you need?
Literature Review: Use systematic search techniques to identify recent, relevant literature on your topic. Explore relevant studies, theories, and observations. This step should provide a comprehensive overview of what has been done and identifies gaps that need further investigation. Contact the library for help searching.
Information about systematic literature reviews.
Alignment with Existing Research: Emphasize how your project fills a hole in the existing research landscape. Highlight the scientific rationale for carrying out your project and demonstrate its relevance within the context of prior work.
Impact: Assess the relevance of your research to real-world problems, societal needs, or scientific advancements. Impactful research addresses pressing issues and has practical implications.
Consider who will benefit from your findings. Will it impact policymakers, practitioners, industry, or the general public?
Impact is often measured by the number of citations your work receives and its influence on subsequent research. High-quality research tends to have a lasting impact.Novelty: Ensure that your research introduces new ideas, concepts, or approaches that haven’t been explored before. Novelty is about bringing fresh perspectives to existing knowledge.
Identify what sets your work apart from previous studies. Consider whether you’re addressing gaps in the literature or providing a unique angle on a well-studied topic.
Novelty can also involve exploring existing topics in innovative ways, such as using novel methodologies or interdisciplinary approaches.Innovation: Innovation involves finding creative solutions to existing challenges. It could be through technological advancements, novel algorithms, or unconventional thinking.
Innovate by pushing the boundaries of current knowledge. Break away from conventional approaches and explore uncharted territories.
Collaborate with experts from diverse fields to foster innovation. Interdisciplinary research often leads to groundbreaking discoveries.Check if your project fits the Nord Strategy, European policies (e.g. EU missions), SDGs (the sustainable development goals).
A research project that aligns with EU policies and ensures that theirs objectives and outcomes are in harmony with the broader goals and priorities of the European Union has higher chances to be successful.
This alignment enhances the project's relevance and potential impact, as it directly contributes to addressing societal challenges, promoting innovation, and supporting economic growth in the EU.
- Subscribe to newsletters in your research area
- Participate in training and courses organised by Nord and the Research Council of Norway
- Follow calls in your field
Early in the idea development the following aspects should be discussed with relevant academic communities to establish a solid foundation and further develop the project idea:
- Does the idea have interdisciplinary potential
- Are there other ongoing projects at the university, or others with the same project idea, that one can collaborate with?
Here you will find contact details of the Research and Development Division
Talk to your colleagues, leader and research advisor (locally, nationally and internationally). Use the Research Potential Database created together with our partner universities within the SEA-EU alliance.
Nord University has many success stories. Learn from our experiences and get inspired. Visit our website with ongoing projects.