The document outlines the key steps to starting a research process: 1) Choose a broad topic and identify a niche through preliminary research and discussions with supervisors. 2) Define a research problem by investigating practical or theoretical issues and writing a problem statement. 3) Formulate focused research questions to guide the investigation of the problem. 4) Create a research design that determines data collection and analysis methods, as well as participants. 5) Write a research proposal that outlines the background, questions, design, and plan for fitting the research into existing literature.