{"id":536,"date":"2022-03-21T05:39:55","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T09:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/writingplace\/?post_type=chapter&p=536"},"modified":"2023-11-30T11:19:53","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T16:19:53","slug":"developing-your-research-question","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/writingplace\/chapter\/developing-your-research-question\/","title":{"raw":"Developing Your Research Question","rendered":"Developing Your Research Question"},"content":{"raw":"\"Person<\/a>\r\n\r\nBecause of all their influence, you might worry that research questions are difficult to develop. Sometimes it can seem that way. But you\u2019ll get the hang of it and, luckily, none of us has to come up with an incredible question right away. Remember, it\u2019s a process! That\u2019s why we talk about developing<\/em> research questions instead of just writing them.\r\n
Steps for Developing a Research Question<\/strong><\/h5>\r\nThe steps for developing a research question, listed below, can help you organize your thoughts.\r\n\r\nStep 1<\/strong>: Pick a topic (or consider the one assigned to you).\r\n\r\nStep 2<\/strong>: Write a narrower\/smaller topic that is related to the first.\r\n\r\nStep 3<\/strong>: List some potential questions that could logically be asked in relation to the narrow topic.\r\n\r\nStep 4<\/strong>: Pick the question that you are most interested in.\r\n\r\nStep 5<\/strong>: Revise the question you\u2019re interested in so that it is more focused.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_229\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]\"A<\/a> Start with a narrow topic, think of questions, and then focus those questions.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nPractice<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOnce you know the steps and their order, only three skills are involved in developing a research question:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Imagining narrower topics about a larger one,<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Thinking of questions that stem from a narrow topic, and<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Revising questions to be more specific or focused.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nEvery time you use these skills, it\u2019s important to evaluate what you have produced\u2014that\u2019s just part of the process of turning rough drafts into more finished products.\r\n\r\n\"Person<\/a>\r\n\r\nDeveloping a Research Question<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFor each of the narrow topics below, think of a research question that is logically related to that topic. (Remember that good research questions often, but not always, start with \u201cWhy\u201d or \u201cHow\u201d because questions that begin that way usually require more analysis.) After you have written your question, click on the topic to see the questions we came up with.\r\n\r\nTopics:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"11\"]\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAfter you think of each research question, evaluate it by asking whether it:<\/strong>\r\n
    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    1. Is not easily answered with a simple yes or a no (or a hasty google search)<\/td>\r\nIt has some substance and requires explanation.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    2.\u00a0 Has an underlying problem with social significance (local, national or international)<\/td>\r\nIt is important to someone other than just you!<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    3. Poses a genuine question and aims for neutrality<\/td>\r\nIt avoids using loaded language or suggesting a predetermined answer.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    4. Can be answered with reliable evidence<\/td>\r\nIt is researchable. Others have already been contributing to this conversation.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    5. Has appropriate scope<\/td>\r\nIt is not too narrow, nor too broad; it doesn\u2019t leave you with too much or too little information.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nSometimes the first draft of a research question is still too broad, which can make your search for sources more challenging. Refining your question to remove vagueness or to target a specific aspect of the topic can help.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFocusing Questions<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe first draft research questions below are not focused enough. Read them and revise them to eliminate vagueness and increase focus. We\u2019ve included some potential revisions, but yours might be even stronger!\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFirst Drafts of Research Questions:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"12\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n

    Adaptations<\/h1>\r\nMaterial in this section has been adapted from Developing Your Research Question<\/a> in Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research<\/a> by Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University Libraries, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License<\/a>, except where otherwise noted.","rendered":"

    \"Person<\/a><\/p>\n

    Because of all their influence, you might worry that research questions are difficult to develop. Sometimes it can seem that way. But you\u2019ll get the hang of it and, luckily, none of us has to come up with an incredible question right away. Remember, it\u2019s a process! That\u2019s why we talk about developing<\/em> research questions instead of just writing them.<\/p>\n

    Steps for Developing a Research Question<\/strong><\/h5>\n

    The steps for developing a research question, listed below, can help you organize your thoughts.<\/p>\n

    Step 1<\/strong>: Pick a topic (or consider the one assigned to you).<\/p>\n

    Step 2<\/strong>: Write a narrower\/smaller topic that is related to the first.<\/p>\n

    Step 3<\/strong>: List some potential questions that could logically be asked in relation to the narrow topic.<\/p>\n

    Step 4<\/strong>: Pick the question that you are most interested in.<\/p>\n

    Step 5<\/strong>: Revise the question you\u2019re interested in so that it is more focused.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"A<\/a>
    Start with a narrow topic, think of questions, and then focus those questions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Once you know the steps and their order, only three skills are involved in developing a research question:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Imagining narrower topics about a larger one,<\/li>\n
    2. Thinking of questions that stem from a narrow topic, and<\/li>\n
    3. Revising questions to be more specific or focused.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Every time you use these skills, it\u2019s important to evaluate what you have produced\u2014that\u2019s just part of the process of turning rough drafts into more finished products.<\/p>\n

      \"Person<\/a><\/p>\n

      Developing a Research Question<\/strong><\/p>\n

      For each of the narrow topics below, think of a research question that is logically related to that topic. (Remember that good research questions often, but not always, start with \u201cWhy\u201d or \u201cHow\u201d because questions that begin that way usually require more analysis.) After you have written your question, click on the topic to see the questions we came up with.<\/p>\n

      Topics:<\/strong><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \n