Form an inquiry statement that says what you are trying to find out.
I am studying _______ because I want to find out (who, what, when, where, whether, why or how) _______ in order to understand (how, why or whether) _______.
Example: I am studying public funding for the arts because I want to find out how accessible the arts are to the working poor in order to understand whether tax dollars support cultural enrichment for all citizens regardless of their socio-economic status.
Turn your statement into a question. Try using a command term.
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How |
A how question requires an explanation of the ways in which something is happens. A how question may also call for an evaluative answer as in "How significant…?” or “How successful…?” Example: How does the consumption of energy drinks effect recovery times in middle-distance runners? |
| To what extent |
A "To what extent" question requires an evaluation of a concept, person, or event, often in relation to another. Example: To what extent can the limited political rights of women in Saudi Arabia be justified?” |
| Why |
A why question requires reasons for the existence of something, and implies that after establishing reasons for existence, the writer will also evaluate or pass a judgment on the subject of your inquiry. Example: Why has public opinion of state-level representatives fluctuate in traditionally Republican states in the last 10 years? |
Make sure your question can be answered with research using the resources available to you.
Can your question be answered by research?
Is this a topic someone would have written about?
Will there be facts as well as opinions about this topic?
Make sure your question leads to ANALYSIS, and not a simple summary or retelling.
Does it go beyond a yes/no question?
Is it complex enough to require information beyond a few simple facts to answer it?
Does it lead to multiple points of view?
Example: To what extent does public funding for the arts fulfill its promise to provide access to cultural enrichment for all levels of society?
| Unfocused research questions | Clear, focused, narrow research questions |
| What was the impact of Ho Chi Minh’s allegiance to Lenin? | To what extent was nationalism the guiding factor in Ho Chi Minh’s adoption of Leninism in 1920? |
| What is the history of Chinese theatre? | How does the legacy of Mei Lan Fang contribute to modern Jingju? |
| How important is chlorophyll to plant life? | What is the effect of different concentrations of kinetin on leaves aging and the biosynthesis of chlorophyll? |
| How can the US government’s spending policy be reformed? | To what extent did the rising prices affect the demand for new and used cars and therefore the revenue generated by the Singaporean economy from 2012 to 2016? |
Research Question Checklist
You may need to ask and answer many smaller questions as you connect with your prior knowledge about your topic, and add to your background knowledge. But the "big question" that will be the center of your inquiry should meet these criteria:
Adapted from ESIFC Wonder 11-12.4
| Narrow and specific enough to be explored thoroughly for this assignment. | Example: To what extent did economic resistance strategies used by the French Underground enable the Allies to regain control of France? |
| Deep enough that you will need multiple and diverse sources to answer them. | Example: What is the impact of cyberbullying on society? |
| Complex enough that they require multiple points of view and your own thinking and interpretation. | Example: How do attitudes toward gun control influence public policy? |
| Balanced between fact and interpretation – questions require factual evidence and yet offer the opportunity for interpreting the evidence, forming opinions, and drawing conclusions. | Example: Why should we care about global warming? |
| Structured around different levels of thought (not only who, what, when, where questions, but also how, why, what caused, and what if questions). |
Example: What were the circumstances surrounding the Emancipation Proclamation? How did the Emancipation Proclamation affect the country and people of the time? |
| Varied enough to elicit the richness of the topic. | Example: Who is responsible for solving the climate crisis? |
| Aligned with the purpose of your research (lead to historical context for historical topics; elicit accurate and specific facts for scientific topics). |
Example: How did attitudes toward women influence their role during the Civil War? What is the scientific evidence to support the idea of climate change? |
| Narrowing a Research Question | |
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If you find that your research question is still too broad, continue using the tools in Choosing a Topic until you hit on something you can use. Consider your topic of interest. What sub-topics are there? What else would you like to know about it? What are some causes, effects, messages, or themes you would like to consider? Ask your supervisor or the librarian for help. |