The document discusses the preliminary stages of research, including literature reviews, problem definition, theoretical frameworks, hypotheses formulation, and criteria for good hypotheses. It provides definitions and guidelines for each stage. A literature review identifies existing knowledge, questions unanswered, and justification for further study. It involves locating, obtaining, reading, and evaluating scholarly materials. The theoretical framework establishes the foundation of variables identified as relevant to the problem. Well-stated hypotheses should be testable, limited in scope, and reflect a proposed relationship between variables based on prior knowledge.