Develop
and Refine Your Research Question
To develop potential research questions, identify the issue you
are focusing on and write ten questions related to the conversation you have
decided to join. Complete the following table by beginning each question with
one of the following words: what, why, when, where, who, how, would/could,
should.
What Questions … focus your attention on a particular aspect of
a topic by asking questions about facts,
such as what is the cause of a particular problem or what caused something to
occur. For instance, research questions about professional wrestling might
ask: What are the effects of watching professional wrestling on aggressive
behavior among young teenage boys? What is the driving force behind the
growing popularity of professional wrestling?
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Potential
Questions:
·
What
…
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Why Questions … focus your attention on a particular aspect of
a topic by asking for an explanation
of something, such as why something happened or why it did not happen, or why
one thing is better than another. For instance, a research question about
professional wrestling might ask: Why is professional wrestling so popular
among young teenage boys?
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Potential
Questions:
·
Why
…
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When Questions … focus your attention on aspects of a topic
related to timing or history. For instance, research
questions about professional wrestling might ask: When did professional
wrestling first become popular? When is the best time to start training to
become a professional wrestler?
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Potential
Questions:
·
When
…
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Where Questions … focus your attention on aspects of a topic
related to location, geographic or
otherwise. For instance, research questions about professional wrestling
might ask: Where in the United States and Canada is professional wrestling
most popular? Where can I learn about becoming a professional wrestler?
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Potential
Questions:
·
Where
…
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Who Questions … focus your attention on aspects of a topic
related to people or personalities. For instance,
research questions about professional wrestling might ask: Who are the most
popular professional wrestlers? Who benefits most from the popularity of
professional wrestling?
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Potential
Questions:
·
Who
…
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How Questions … focus your attention on aspects of a topic
related to process or origins. For instance, research questions
about professional wrestling might ask: How can I become a professional
wrestler? How do professional wrestlers avoid injury? How is professional
wrestling marketed in the United States and Canada?
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Potential
Questions:
·
How
…
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Would and Could Questions … focus your attention on aspects of a topic
related to possibilities. For
instance, research questions about professional wrestling might ask: Would
professional wrestling be more popular if the media paid more attention to
the sport? Could professional
wrestlers make good politicians?
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Potential
Questions:
·
Would
…
·
Could
…
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Should Questions … focus your attention on aspects of a topic
related to the appropriateness of
a particular action, policy, procedure, or decision. For instance, a research
question about professional wrestling might ask: Should professional
wrestling be regulated by the federal government?
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Potential
Questions:
·
Should
…
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1. Choose the
research question that best meets the needs of your writing situation,
including your purpose and roles and your readers’ purposes, interests, values,
and beliefs.
2. After you choose
your research question, write your responses to your questions.
SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. Unclear: Why are social networking sites harmful?
Clear: How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as MySpace and Facebook?
2. Unfocused: What is the effect on the environment from global warming?
Focused: How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica?
3. 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?
SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. Unclear: Why are social networking sites harmful?
Clear: How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as MySpace and Facebook?
2. Unfocused: What is the effect on the environment from global warming?
Focused: How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica?
3. 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?
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