Conditions to consider in selecting a project

Project selection and evaluation is more critical for students in scientific fields of study. In most coures, students are required to do a project as a requirement for the award of their various degrees. Project can be simple if you select it wisely but it can be very difficult if you don't take into consideration some of the factors I have listed below. The list provided here are just some but not all the factors considered when selecting a project.

Factors to consider during project selection.

i)Must be an original idea.
This means, you should select a project that have not been done previously though you can develope an idea based on already done projects trying to answer some of the questions that the previous researcher could not answer or recommendations that were given by previous researcher for future research.

ii) Availability of resources.
Before deciding on a project you want to undertake,you must ensure that the resources like equipment your research needs are available. Some projects may require very valuable and highly expensive equipments. For such, you must find out whether your institution has the equipments or if you can get assistance from other instutions in collaboration with your institution.

iii) Relevance and the objectives.
If you are doing a project for the purpose of attaining a particular degree, then it must be closely related to your field of study. Actually the most obvious question during defending your project at the pannel is always...'as a student pursuing a degree in...(your course of study), how does your project relate to your course of study? how is it related to your career ambitions? Or why did you select to do the project as a Biochemist or as aquatic scientist??

iv) Duration or time needed to accomplish your project.
Time for the project has to be determined prior to the onset of the project. This is because, many institutions or even scholarships(if you may get for a research or project) gives a stipulated amount of time for a selected project. You better select a project you will finish before the time you opted than a project which will take you an extra time. You have to take note that if you will be late with even a second, then, the project will not be accepted.

v) Complexity of the project.
Select a project which is simple to undertake. Avoid very complex projects which may unnecessarily increase capital requirement or may lead to ambiguity at long last after spending from the start.

vi) Availability of a supervisor
Projects require a supervisor as you undertake. You should inquire from the supervisor which type of project you can do and if he or she has an idea of your project. It's always good to develope multiple ideas then present to the person you think can be your supervisor. He will always give you proper direction from the beginning. Be warned!! Not always think that the supervisor knows everything you want to do, he is just there to guide you and he will not provide all solutions to you.
Getting a good supervisor acts as your cornerstone towards success of your project.

Vii) Applicability and achievability of your project.
Some projects you can tell from the start if you will not achieve your project objectives. Avoid such.

Viii) Project objectives
Of course, objectives will guide you throughout your projectvas you will be working in close refferrence to your objectives.

ix) Ethical status to your project
Some projects for example need working in close with regulatory bodies or need very high Ethical considerations especially those dealing in human or animal research. For example, obtaining samples from a licensed institution when carrying research using mice,rabit, etc. Some projects or research need to be conducted in licensed laboratories.

X) Health safety
You need to know or understand how the equipments or chemicals you will use in your project can affect your health and safety measures in that case. For example, some projects may require frequent use of radiatactive reagents or chemicals which must be done in specific biosafety cabinets. Some may require you to put on protective clothings etc.

Xi)Interest
Interest is a driving force towards achieving your project goals. Imagine doing a project that will bore you from the start to the end. This will be a great barrier in doing your research.project needs peaceful mind and be composed. However simple a project may be but you don't have an interest in it, it will fail.

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Biokenya answered the question on November 30, 2018 at 13:49