You’re trying to make a tough decision. How can research skills help you make the right choice?

1 Define your problem

The first step in making a tough decision is to clearly define your problem. What is the main issue or question you need to solve or answer? What are your goals, criteria, or preferences for the outcome? What are the constraints, limitations, or challenges you face? By defining your problem, you can narrow down your focus and scope, and avoid irrelevant or distracting information.

2 Find relevant information

The next step in making a tough decision is to find relevant information that can help you answer your problem. You can use different sources of information, such as books, articles, reports, surveys, interviews, or observations. You can also use different methods of information, such as quantitative, qualitative, or mixed. You need to assess the quality, credibility, and reliability of the information you find, and avoid bias, errors, or misinformation.

4 Evaluate alternatives and consequences

The fourth step in making a tough decision is to evaluate the alternatives and consequences of your choice. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each option, and how they align with your goals and criteria. You need to consider the short-term and long-term effects of each option, and how they affect you and others. You need to anticipate the potential risks, uncertainties, or trade-offs of each option, and how you can mitigate or manage them.

5 Communicate and justify your decision

The final step in making a tough decision is to communicate and justify your decision. You need to present your decision clearly, logically, and persuasively to yourself and others. You need to explain the rationale, evidence, and assumptions behind your decision. You need to address any objections, questions, or feedback that may arise from your decision. You need to demonstrate confidence, integrity, and accountability for your decision.

Research skills can help you make a tough decision by helping you gather, analyze, and evaluate information in a systematic and objective way. By using research skills, you can make a more informed, rational, and effective decision that meets your goals and criteria.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?