Research Process: Develop a Research Question

Before you can begin searching the library's databases, you need to be able to define what it is you are looking for. One way of doing this is by writing a research question. A research question is exactly what it sounds like: a question you ask and attempt to answer using source material. This question will not only guide your paper, but will also guide you through the research process and help you identify potentially useful sources. Example question:

What can schools do to address social media bullying among teenagers?

Your next step is identifying the keyword search terms you will use to find information that will answer your research question.

Select the words or phrases from your research question that are essential to describing your topic. These are usually nouns and verbs in your question:

What can  schools  do to address  social media bullying  among  teenagers?

PT.1- Steps for Developing your Research Question

1. Define your general topic area:

•  In a sentence or two, describe your broad topic or area of research. (Examples: “I want to look at video games; I’m interested in immigration)

2. Bring your topic into focus:

• What are some of the 5 W’s- The Who, What, When, Where, and Why- of the topic. There can be many of each of these (Example: Teens, adults, America, Europe, Battle Royale games, mental health, violence, etc.)

3. Explore your topic.

• Do some preliminary research on your topic.
• Can you find articles and books on your topic?
• How are scholars talking about your topic?
• Knowing the current information, controversies, and debates can inform
• your research topic and help you develop it.

4. Ask questions about your topic

• Why is this topic important/ why do you want to research it?
• What is unknown or unresolved?
• Is it relevant to your assignment?
• What is the type of research you are doing? Does your research explore
• the topic, explain the topic, or describe the topic?
• Does your research explore potential relationships?

5. Create your Research Question:

• Brainstorm as many questions as you can think of that relate to your research topic/problem/gap.
• Try starting questions with what, why, when, where, who, and how; in general, avoid questions that will result in only “yes” or “no” answers

6. Is your Research Question clear and focused or ambiguous? Is it specific?

• Can you successfully answer it within the scope of your assignment? When in doubt, think of it like this: is it a question that needs to be researched or can it be easily answered using a Google Search?

PT.2- Assess & Modify as Necessary

1. Evaluate your research question. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it too narrow or large of a topic for the assignment?
• Can I finish it in time and within the assignment requirements (page length, resources required, etc.)?

2. Tighten or loosen your focus.

• Look at every word in your question. Replace as many as you can with more specific language or ideas (e.g., instead of “teens,” say “teens between the ages of 13 to 18”, instead of teens in Ohio, widen the scope to the U.S.).

3. Get an outside opinion.

• Meet with your instructor or graduate assistant to go over your topic for feedback, or brainstorm with classmates or the writing center. Sometimes an outside perspective can help you think of different avenues and ways to refine or answer a research question.

4. It's OK to change it up!

• You might realize that you need to shift your focus as you learn more; its very common to modify and rework a research question throughout the research & writing process.