The hardest part of research is working out what the question is. These movies show how to reduce an open question into several logically-consistent closed questions and then how to answer these with rigorous research.

Issue Analysis

When you encounter a problem for the first time, or need a fresh start, try using an issue tree

Issue Trees
An issue tree is used to divide a large open question into a series of smaller questions that can be answered by rigorous analysis. This movie shows how to create an issue tree, using a simple example.
Credit: Matthew Juniper
Issue Trees applied to engineering
This movie shows how an issue tree can be applied to an engineering question.
Credit: Matthew Juniper

When you understand a problem well and need to perform rigorous hypothesis-driven research to that problem, try using a hypothesis tree

Hypothesis trees
A hypothesis tree is used to divide a statement into its components, all of which must be true in order for the research question to be true.
Credit: Matthew Juniper
Hypothesis Trees applied to engineering
This movie shows how a hypothesis tree can be applied to an engineering question.
Credit: Matthew Juniper