1. Research questions

2. Overview of this session
Together create a definition of a “good” research question
Begin refining individual questions

3. What makes a “good” research question?
What are the attributes of a good research question?
Write your thoughts in your journal
Compare with a partner
Pick the one you like the best of the two, or create a new statement
Pairs share with their table
Pick the statement you like the best of all at your table, or create a new statement
Share your “best” statement with the group

4. Recall the NRC principles
Question: pose significant question that can be investigated empirically
Theory: link research to relevant theory
Methods: use methods that permit direct investigation of the question
Reasoning: provide coherent, explicit chain of reasoning
Replicate and generalize across studies
Disclose research to encourage professional scrutiny and critique
Do the statements we have written need to be added in light of these principles?

5. Intellectual neighbors
Take a stretch break and find your intellectual neighbors – SIT TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST PART OF THIS EXERCISE

6. Refining your question
In your journal:
Write your current research question.

7. Ideas from Sally Fincher and Robin Adams
FIE 2004

8. Iterations
Clarity
Significance
Evidence
Technique

9. Clarity
Work first in pairs, then with your other neighbors. Share your first version of your research question.
Get feedback on:
Recognizable as a question – is it a sentence?
Specificity – is it vague?
Does it ask “what” (may be assessment) or “how” or “why” (more likely to be a research question)?
Doable – can you imagine how you might study it?
Revise your question based on the feedback you receive

10. Iterations
Clarity
Significance

11. Significance
Write a statement of significance for the most refined version of your question.
For whom would it be significant? (audience)
To you or your institution only?
For a broader community?
Relevance - Why might they be interested?
Justification - What is the contribution?
Context - How does this fit in the known landscape?
“Edgy” – Does it open up new avenues?
Little diagram – continuum of so what, I want to know, my local community wants to know, the world wants to know

12. Work on your poster
ADD
Your most refined research question
Your most refined statement of significance
Make this public and get feedback from the larger community
Post your poster
“Walk the wall” – look at other people’s posters
Find possible new intellectual neighbors
Provide feedback on the clarity of the questions (is it clear?) and on the significance (do you see a larger audience that would be interested in this question?)