Research Question ( Week 3) (1)

Formulating A Research Question

Goals
Understand why we develop academic research questions.
Consider strategies for developing research questions. Begin formulating our own reserch questions.

A Good Research Question is……
Requires a judgement to be made ( is it global or local importance)
Allows debate between different perspectives
Allows for the answer to be in the middle ground or to synthesise different perspectives
Clear and precise
Can be answered within the available resources to the learner and really interests the learner

Examples

Strategy#1 Research Question
Personal Knowledge
List your interests as they pertain to your specific discipline or assignment.
Consider one of the items on the list
Now find out the following questions in the free write:
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? So what? and “ What if…..”

Secondary Resources : Strategy#2
Reading :
Sources : Books , Essays, Articles , Internet , Academic & Professional sites related to Topic / Discipline.

Modes of Thought ( Strategy # 3)
Consider the Rhetorical Modes helps in organizing ideas in Writing & Speaking
Compare and Contrast
Process
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution

Focussing & Supporting Research Question
Focusing Question
Supporting Question: Questions that will help to explore focussing questions in greater depth
Example :
Focusing Question: How can the university community increase its economic impact on the Florence-Muscle Shoals community?
Supporting Questions: How does the university currently impact the community economically? What could be done that isn’t being done, and why? What are the limitations?

Remember as you G(r)o(w)…
Make your question one that somebody else will want an answer to as well. They will be your AUDIENCE.
Your PURPOSE is your reason for asking your question. The answer to your research question will be a complete statement expressed as a sentence – your THESIS.
If you used a Rhetorical Mode to formulate your question, you should use that mode to ORGANIZE THE PARAGRAPHS of your paper (though you may certainly use other modes as you DEVELOP your ideas!)
Most importantly, do not get discouraged or worried if you find your thesis or your beliefs changing- a natural process

Discussion Time !