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Research Questions
What is a research question?
- A question you ask yourself about your research topic
Why do I need a research question?
- It can help you focus your research, and your writing
How do I write a research question?
- Choose a topic of interest to you
- Think about the many things related to your topic
- Now list several possible questions
- Choose one to pursue
- Make this one question more, but not too, specific
- Think focused, clear and complex; again, a concept map can be helpful
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(Concept map made using https://bubbl.us/)
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Examples
Here's an example:
- Topic - climate change and its effect on birds
- Related things - Weather, Habitat, Food, Raising Young, Migration
- Possible questions -
- How is climate change affecting existing habitat for birds?
- Is climate change a factor in the dwindling population of some bird species?
- Pick one question that interests you -
- How is climate change affecting existing habitat for birds?
- Focus the question to be more complex (i.e. for this topic add geography or species). Make sure your words are clear and precise -
- How is climate change affecting existing habitat for birds in New England?
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