Developing a Research Question
Your research question guides your project from beginning to completion. Unlike your topic, which may be fairly general, your research question will define the specific scope of your project. In other words, the research question tells readers what you’re trying to find out. It is common for a research question to be refined throughout your research and investigation process. As you gain more knowledge and understanding of the topic, you might want to refine and edit your research question.
DEVELOP YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION
1. DEFINE THE TOPIC AREA
In a sentence or two, describe your broad topic or area of research.
(Example: “World War I”)
2. DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM
In a sentence or two, describe a problem that could be addressed in your topic or area of research.
(Example: “Wars cause disruption and instability in the societies affected by them”)
3. SPECIFY THE GAP & JUSTIFY THE INVESTIGATION
What is unknown or unresolved? Why should we bother investigating it?
(Example: If globalization emerged as a result of the Industrial Revolution and World War I occurred after the IR, what changes to the world resulted from World War I?)
4. CREATE THE RESEARCH QUESTION
The finalized research question: How did World War I change the world order?
In a sentence or two, describe your broad topic or area of research.
(Example: “World War I”)
2. DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM
In a sentence or two, describe a problem that could be addressed in your topic or area of research.
(Example: “Wars cause disruption and instability in the societies affected by them”)
3. SPECIFY THE GAP & JUSTIFY THE INVESTIGATION
What is unknown or unresolved? Why should we bother investigating it?
(Example: If globalization emerged as a result of the Industrial Revolution and World War I occurred after the IR, what changes to the world resulted from World War I?)
4. CREATE THE RESEARCH QUESTION
- Brainstorm as many questions as you can think of that relate to your research topic/problem/gap. Try starting questions with what, why, when, where, who, and how; in general, avoid questions that will result in only “yes” or “no” answers.
- Draft a primary question: Do you see one main question emerging from the list above? If not, try doing some additional reading or thinking, or talk to your supervisor or instructor (Example: How did World War I change society?)
- Draft secondary research questions: What information do you need to gather to answer your primary question? (Example: Before we can determine how World War I changed how the world functioned, we need to know what changes occurred as a result of World War I..)
The finalized research question: How did World War I change the world order?
ASSESS & REFINE
Evaluate your research question. Ask yourself the following questions: will readers understand it on first reading? Is it feasible given your time and resources? Does it contribute to a wider academic
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Talk it over. Use this worksheet to talk with your supervisor or instructor about the scope and direction of your research plan.
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Tighten your focus. Look at every word in your question. Replace as many as you can with more specific language or ideas (e.g., instead of “students,” say “Grade 9 students in Warsaw").
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Revisit often! Keep your research question in mind throughout the research and writing process.
You may find that you need to adapt your research question as you learn more. |
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