A good research question cannot be answered with a yes or no. Creating a research question is not as simple as taking a topic you are interested in and making it into a question. Your research question should be clear, focused, manageable, and defensible (i.e. able to be supported by evidence).
Developing a narrow, focused research question is an integral part of the research process. Your research question will provide a path to guide you through your work.
| Step 1. Choose your subject area | Which subject area is of most personal interest to you? Is there something you are especially curious about in one of your IB courses? Did one of your ERP's from an earlier grade spark an idea that can be researched? |
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| Step 2. Choose a topic that interests you |
Describe your work in one sentence. I want to learn about __________________________. Example: I want to learn about public funding for the arts. |
| Step 3. Suggest a question |
Try to describe your research by developing a question that specifies something about your topic. I am studying ______________________ because I want to find out (who, what, when, where, whether, why or how) ___________________________. Example: I am studying public funding for the arts because I want to find out how accessible the arts are to those people who are on low incomes. Direct question: To what extent are the arts accessible to people who belong to the class of the working poor? |
| Step 4. Evaluate your question |
Is there a range of perspectives on this topic? Does the research question allow for analysis, evaluation and the development of a reasoned argument? I am studying __________________ because I want to find out ____________________________ in order to understand (how, why or whether) ________________________________________________. |
| Step 5. Restate your question using a different command term |
Asking the question in a different way might help you view your topic in a different way. How does analyzing … To what extent … |
| Step 6. Reflection | If you can adequately respond to the “so what?” question, you may be on your way to a clear and focused research question using your initial topic idea. |
You must now start some preliminary reading around the issue or topic. Remember that you will most likely need to revise your research question once you start to undertake your research. In this sense, your research question should always be considered provisional until you have enough research data to make a reasoned argument.
This content is adapted from "Draft a Research Question," from the West Sound Academy Library.
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