BACKGROUND: Current initiatives are aimed at building the capacity within Australian primary care to undertake high quality research and evaluation, including clinicians who are not primarily researchers. OBJECTIVE: To provide a simple guide to encourage practice based research projects. TIPS AND ADVICE: Be parsimonious with the amount of data collected, ensure the literature is searched first, keep the project as simple as possible, invest time in planning and managing the project, readily ask for help and advice, and make every effort to publish the results. DISCUSSION: A modest, carefully supported and systematic approach is recommended for increasing the chance of success and quality of the research.