LibGuides: Research Help: Research Questions

Words of Wisdom

“If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.” ~Albert Einstein

What makes a good research question?

A research question...

Is open-ended; it typically will not have a single, final, and correct answer. The question is "non-googleable."
Is thought-provoking and intellectually engaging, often sparking discussion and debate.
Involves higher-order thinking, such as analysis, inference, evaluation, or prediction. It cannot be effectively answered by recall alone.
Points toward important, transferable ideas within (and sometimes across) disciplines.
Raises additional questions and sparks further inquiry.
Requires support and justification, not just an answer.
Recurs over time; that is, the question can and should be revisited again and again.
Is interesting to YOU!

Need to find a good question? Check these resources for ideas!

Idea Generator
Struggling with ideas for your project? Check out the broad categories, then lick on one to browse through a variety of keywords and phrases; then explore the ideas and devise a more specific topic.
ProCon.org
ProCon.org is a nonprofit public charity that has no government affiliations of any kind. The purpose of the organization is to provide resources for critical thinking and to educate without bias.

Issues & Controversies This link opens in a new window
Explore 800+ hot topics in our world today.
SIRS Issues Researcher This link opens in a new window
Full-text articles exploring current issues in our world.

What are essential questions?

Your essential questions guide you as you work so you will read and take notes only on what is needed for your project.

Example 1: Topic = Steroids

Issue = Steroids and Professional Athletes

Research Question = Should steroids be banned from professional sports?

Essential Questions:

Why do professional athletes take steroids?
What are the harmful effects of steroid use?
What are the current laws/rules of using steroids in professional sports?
Where do athletes get steroids?

Example 2: Topic = Skateboarding

Issue = Skateboarding and Helmets

Research Question = Should skateboarders be required by law to wear helmets?

Essential Questions:

Why do some skateboarders choose not to wear helmets?
What injuries do skateboarders suffer most often?
How many skateboarders are seriously injured each year?
How do skateboarding injuries affect the lives of skateboarders?