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Topic To Research Question

The document provides guidance on developing a focused research question after selecting a topic. It emphasizes the importance of asking open-ended questions, ensuring clarity and complexity in the research question, and hypothesizing potential arguments and sources. Examples illustrate the difference between vague and specific research questions, highlighting the need for depth and focus in academic inquiry.

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12 views2 pages

Topic To Research Question

The document provides guidance on developing a focused research question after selecting a topic. It emphasizes the importance of asking open-ended questions, ensuring clarity and complexity in the research question, and hypothesizing potential arguments and sources. Examples illustrate the difference between vague and specific research questions, highlighting the need for depth and focus in academic inquiry.

Uploaded by

Nucleo Buenos Aires
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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From Topic to Research

Question
After choosing a topic and gathering background information, add focus with a research question.

Explore Questions
•Ask open-ended “how” and “why” questions about your general topic.
•Consider the “so what” of your topic. Why does this topic
matter to you? Why should it matter to others?
•Reflect on the questions you have considered. Identify one or two
questions you find engaging and which could be explored futher through
research.
Determine and Evaluate Your Research Question
What aspect of the more general topic you will explore?
Is your research question clear? Is
your research question focused? Is
your research question complex?

*Note*- Research questions must be specific enough to be well covered in the space available.
Questions shouldn’t have a simple yes/no answer and should require research and analysis.
Hypothesize
•After you’ve come up with a question, consider the path your answer might take.
•If you are making an argument, what will you say?
•Why does your argument matter?
•How might others challenge your argument?
•What kind of sources will you need to support your argument?

Sample Research Questions

Clarity

Unclear: Why are social net- working sites harmful?

Clear: How are online users ex- periencing or addressing privacy issues on social networking sites like
MySpace and Facebook?
Simple vs. Complex

Too simple: How are doctors addressing diabetes in the U.S.?

Appropriately complex: What are common traits of those suffering from diabetes in America, and how
can these commonalities be used to aid the medical community in prevention of the disease?
Focused
Unfocused: What is the effect on the environment from glob- al warming?

Focused: How is glacial melt- ing affecting penquins in Antarctica?

Adapted from: George Mason niversity Writing Center. (2008). How to Write a Research Question.

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