1. WRITING A RESEARCH QUESTION

2. What is a research question?
a clear, focused, concise, complex and arguable question around which you center your research

3. Why is it important?
It helps writers focus their research by providing a path for research
a well-developed research question helps writers avoid the plot summary/narrative/biography/book report paper
work toward supporting a specific, arguable thesis

4. characteristics works best if it’s not “yes/no”
most cases: begins with “how”
should NOT begin with “which,” “how much” or “how many”

5. step 1
Choose an interesting general topic. 

6. step 2 Do some preliminary research on your general topic.
Do a few quick searches in databases
Infotrac and SIRS Researcher are great
World History in Context
What’s already been done and to help you narrow your focus. What questions does this early research raise?

7. step 3 Start asking questions.
ask yourself open-ended “how” and “why” questions about your general topic

8. How is your question? Is it clear? Is it focused?
Is it complex? It should NOT be answerable with a simple “yes” or “no” or easily found facts. It should require both research and analysis.

9. How is this question? Why are social networking sites harmful?
How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter?
Unclear: Why are social networking sites harmful? Clear: How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as MySpace and Facebook?
The unclear version of this question doesn’t specify which social networking sites or suggest what kind of harm the sites are causing. It also assumes that this “harm” is proven and/or accepted. The clearer version specifies sites (MySpace and Facebook), the type of harm (privacy issues), and who the issue is harming (users). A strong research question should never leave room for ambiguity or interpretation.

10. How is this question?
What is the effect of global warming on the environment?
How does glacial warming affect penguins in Antarctica?
Unfocused: What is the effect on the environment from global warming? Focused: How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica? 
The unfocused research question is so broad that it couldn’t be adequately answered in a book-length piece, let alone a standard college-level paper. The focused version narrows down to a specific cause (glacial melting), a specific place (Antarctica), and a specific group that is affected (penguins). When in doubt, make a research question as narrow and focused as possible.

11. Example (NHD) #1 Broad Topic: Leadership and Legacy in History
Narrowed Topic: The Leadership and Legacy of Lech Walesa in the Solidarity Movement in Poland:
Research Question: How did the leadership of Lech Walesa in the Solidarity Movement lead to social change and political reform in Poland?

12. Example #2 Broad Topic: Leadership and Legacy in History
Narrowed Topic: Mao Zedong and the communist revolution in China
Research Question: Why did the communist revolution led by Mao Zedong succeed in China? Or
In what ways did the Chinese leader, Mao Zedong influence political change in China?

13. Example #3 Broad Topic: Leadership and Legacy in History
Narrowed Topic: Nelson Mandela in post-Apartheid South Africa
Research question: What role did Nelson Mandela play in promoting peace and reconciliation in post-Apartheid South Africa?

14. Practice!
Write a research question using your topic

15. sources: The Writing Center, George Mason University, 2009
Vanessa Fong, Introduction to Qualitative Research, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2011
NHD, Rights and Responsibilities in History, 2013