This document discusses defining the need for research and formulating an effective research question. It provides examples of both too broad and too narrow research questions and explains how to refine questions. An effective research question should be specific enough to answer but broad enough to have scope. It should also consider who, what, when, where, why and follow a format like "The treatment of sickle cell anemia over the last 100 years and its affect on the quality of life on 30 – 40 year olds suffering from the disease." The document concludes by having students practice writing research questions.
42. Reformulated Topic “The treatment of sickle cell anemia over the last 100 years and its affect on the quality of life on 30 – 40 year olds suffering from the disease.”
Finding a particular fact or data to answer a question Selecting different types of materials in order to create a report, article or book Gathering and analyzing data to find a solution for a problem
Finding a particular fact or data to answer a question Selecting different types of materials in order to create a report, article or book Gathering and analyzing data to find a solution for a problem
Finding a particular fact or data to answer a question Selecting different types of materials in order to create a report, article or book Gathering and analyzing data to find a solution for a problem
Finding a particular fact or data to answer a question Selecting different types of materials in order to create a report, article or book Gathering and analyzing data to find a solution for a problem
Researching and analyzing the data to pinpoint an answer helps to develop a solution to a problem.
Finding a particular fact or data to answer a question Selecting different types of materials in order to create a report, article or book Gathering and analyzing data to find a solution for a problem
Researching a specific fact if you need to answer a question.
Defining your research question will:Help narrow the focus of your research. Help evaluate the information you find in order to know what is important and what is notHelp your research stay on track
Researching a specific fact if you need to answer a question.
Researching a specific fact if you need to answer a question.
If you don’t have a properly formulated question, it could be:Too narrow (your research may end too soon)Too broad (you may NEVER come to an end)Continue to keep the research categories in mind…and remember: you can have more than one question per topic!
For the purpose of this class, we will be gathering information for a lengthy project.You will be writing FIVE research questions.
Write a question that narrows your topic to a particular group. Consider the following:Do you want to focus on gender?An age group?An ethnic group?
Assume you are doing research on sickle cell anemia. What aspects of the disease are most interesting to you? What might you want to focus on:The impact the disease has on the lives of children who have sickle cell anemiaThe treatmentWhat research is already being doneExample:What impact does sickle cell anemia have on the lives of people between the ages of 30 and 40, and what treatment is available to them?
Do you want to examine your topic as it exists currently? In a specific time period? In the general past? In the projected future?Sickle Cell Anemia Example:How has the treatment of sickle cell anemia and the quality of life of those with the disease improved over the last 100 years?
Do you want to look at the topic from a global perspective? From a national perspective? From a state perspective? Your community?Do you want to focus your research globally, focus on its impact on a particular country, or look at your own community?
Examine WHY the topic is important: Are you looking for the cause of a problem? Determining the impact of an issue? Examining the validity of information around a topic?Why is it important to find a cure for sickle cell anemia?
Once you write your questions, you may want to reformulate your topic based on your questions. As you progress in your research log each week, you may find that you could have worded your questions better…or you may even decide to change the focus in a particular area.You don’t want to change your focus too often or too much or you may put yourself in a position of never being able to finish your research!