1. Unit Investigation Research Questions

2. What is a Research Question? A research question is an answerable inquiry into a specific concern or issue. It is the initial step in a research project (after you have chosen a topic). It forms the base that everything in your research project is built on.

3. Research questions help writers focus their research by providing a path through the research and writing process. A well-thought- out research question helps writers avoid the “all-about” paper. Why is a research question important?

4. A research question is a… clear, focused …question around which you center your research.

5. Writing a Research Question 1. Specify your specific concern or issue. 2. Decide what you want to know about the specific concern or issue. 3. Turn what you want to know and the specific concern into a question. 4. Ensure that the question is answerable. 5. Check to make sure the question is not too broad or too narrow.

6. When writing your research question, keep in mind the essential question for this unit: 6 th - How do I survive if I’m stranded in the wilderness? 7 th - How are our perceptions formed, and how do they influence our thoughts and actions? 8 th - Why should others speak up against acts of intolerance in society? ESSENTIAL QUESTION

7. Here are some question stems to help you write your research question: How do/does/did… What problems… What happened when… What is/was the role of ____ in ____? What is/was the difference between… What caused… What are/were the effects/results of… How/why did ____ decide to ____ ? Who/what influenced ____ to ____ ? What was the relationship between ____ and ____ ? How did ____ change ____?

8. Evaluate your question Is it too broad? Would it take months to answer the question? Is it too narrow? Could you answer the question in a couple sentences? Is it clear? Will it be effective in helping direct your research? Is it focused? Will you be able to cover the information in an essay?

9. Sample Research Questions Too Broad: What was the Great Depression? You could write a whole book on the Great Depression. Too Narrow: When did the Great Depression occur? You could answer this question in one sentence. Clear: How did the Great Depression affect African Americans? This question is more focused and will provide plenty to write about.

10. Sample Research Questions Unfocused: What is the effect on the environment from global warming? Focused: How is glacial melting affecting penguins in the Arctic Circle? The unfocused research question is so broad that it couldn’t be adequately answered in a book-length piece. The focused version narrows down to a specific cause (glacial melting), a specific place (the Arctic Circle), and a specific group that is affected (penguins). When in doubt, make a research question as narrow and focused as possible.