Developing Your Research Question

1
Developing Your Research Question

• Do you know what general area youre interested
  in, but not sure of your research question?

2
The Importance of Good Questions

• A good research question
• Defines the investigation
• Sets boundaries
• Provides direction

3
Defining Your Topic

• If you are finding it a challenge to generate a
  research topic you can
• Hone in on your passions
• Use your curiosity
• Use a concept map to organise your ideas

4
Concept Map of Potential Research Topics
5
The Concept Map Revisited
6
The Reality

• Research questions are not always the decision of
  the researcher.
• Problems include
• Appropriateness of the topic
• Your ability to get teacher support
• Rules of the assignment (like EE or IAs)

7
From Interesting Topics to Researchable Questions

• An angle for your research can come from
• personal experience
• theory
• observations
• contemporary issues
• search of the literature

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For Example

• You want to do an EE about WWII but you dont
  study history
• Film Studies How did movies represent WWII to
  audiences in the United States and what impact
  did this have Americans' attitudes about the
  war?
• English How did British poets portray soldiers
  in WWII and what impact did this have on British
  attitudes about the war?

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Too Broad

• Any attempt to discuss World War II for example,
  in its entirety is doomed from the start. If it
  took more than 5 years to fight WWII, you cannot
  expect to cover it in any detail in 4000 words or
  a 10 minute presentation.

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Rule of Thumb

• If entire books have been written about the
  subject, you need to narrow your research question

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Too Narrow

• Sometimes a student will refine a topic to the
  point where he or she cannot find enough sources
  to develop it properly.

12
Rule of Thumb

• Look closely at what kinds of sources are readily
  available for your research BEFORE you commit
  yourself to a topic.

13
Test Yourself

• Select what you think is the best research
  question

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Choose A, B, or C

• A What marketing strategies does the Coca-Cola
  company currently apply?
• B What is the Coca-Cola company's future
  marketing plan?
• C What marketing strategies has the Coca-Cola
  company used in the past?

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And The Answer Is

• Question A is the best research question.

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Choose A, B, or C

• A What are the 14 different disease-causing
  genes that were discovered in 1994?
• B What is the importance of genetic research in
  our lives?
• C How might the discovery of a genetic basis for
  obesity change the way in which we treat obese
  persons, both medically and socially?

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And The Answer Is

• Question C is the best choice. You can logically
  posit what "might happen" in the future based on
  what "has happened" in the past.

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Tweak the Question

• Forming the right question may take time and it
  will develop as you do your research, you dont
  have to rush.

19
Good Question Checklist

• Is the question right for me?
• Will the question hold my interest?
• Can I manage any potential biases/subjectivities
  I may have?

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Good Question Checklist

• Is the question well articulated?
• Are the terms well-defined?
• Are there any unchecked assumptions?
•  

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Good Question Checklist

• Can the question be answered?
• Can information be collected in an attempt to
  answer the question?
• Do I have the skills and expertise necessary to
  access this information? If not, can the skills
  be developed?
• Will I be able to get it all done within my time
  constraints?
• Are there any potential ethical problems?
•  

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Good Question Checklist

• Does the question get the tick of approval from
  those in the know?
• Does my teacher/supervisor think I am on the
  right track?

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Evaluate the Classs Questions

• Use the Good Question Checklist to evaluate the
  questions on the screen.
• Remember that a critical evaluation points out
  whats good, whats bad and how to improve the
  thing being evaluated.

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Works Cited

• Copley, C., Greenberg, L., Handley, E., Oaks,
  S. (1996). Developing a research question.
  Retrieved September 1, 2009, from Empire State
  College State University of New York Web site
  http//www.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/writerscom
  plex.nsf/0/f87fd7182f0ff21c852569c2005a47b7
• Lindemann, R. B. (2004, August 10). Developing a
  research question. Retrieved September 1, 2009,
  from Dannville Area Community College Library Web
  site http//www.dacc.cc.il.us/library/OnlineModul
  es/RschQuest.htm
• O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing
  Research. London Sage.
  Chapter Three