Designing a Research Question Learning Objectives – To select a research topic – Develop and write a research question

The first thing to do is select a topic! Ideas Map of Potential Research Topics

Developing Your Research Question Your research question provides a starting point for investigating a topic A research question is a brief question that directs your efforts to collect, critically read, and evaluate your sources.

Open Questions Open questions have the following characteristics: They ask the respondent to think and reflect. Open questions begin with words such as: what, why, how, describe, explain. For example ‘How does the difference in gender explain the reasons why boys cant iron?’

Narrowing and Clarifying Narrowing, clarifying, and even redefining your questions is essential to the research process For example - Why do boys like conspiracy theories? - Describe and explain the reasons why boys like conspiracy theories - How does gender explain the reasons why boys like conspiracy theories about UFOs. Forming the right ‘questions’ should be seen as an ongoing process that is helped by reading and selecting material at all stages.

Cycles of Research Question Development

Good Question Checklist Is the question right for me?  Will the question hold my interest?  Can I manage my own beliefs and own perspectives?  Will the findings be accurate

Good Question Checklist Can I answer the question?  Can information be collected to answer the question?  Do I have the skills and expertise necessary to find and use this information?  Will I be able to get it all done within time?  Are there any potential ethics problems?

Plan Title page Introduction & background Research question Methodology (what, where, why, how) Research diary Process Results Conclusion Evaluation To do good research you need to follow this format

The teacher will give you guidance to help identify an issue, question or problem. They will help you with advice on data collection and the collation of the results. The teacher will advise you on how to present your information but the final choice will be up to the student. The amount of time for this research project will be four weeks of work in the class room and homework