Developing a Research Question

Summary

This video script guides students on how to create an effective research question for their papers. It emphasizes the importance of focusing the question to avoid being too broad or too narrow. The script advises conducting background research to gain a clear direction and developing a question that is both answerable and significant. It also highlights the need for specificity, relevance, and creativity in framing a research question, while cautioning against vague or philosophical inquiries. The goal is to help students craft questions that lead to meaningful, well-researched papers.

Takeaways

• 😀 A research paper requires a focused research question to guide the research process effectively.
• 😀 A good research question is one that addresses an important issue related to your topic, offering clear direction for research.
• 😀 Without a clear research question, your paper is likely to lack cohesion and focus.
• 😀 A research question should be specific and not too broad or narrow to ensure it's researchable within your scope.
• 😀 Background research, such as reading articles or Wikipedia, can help you understand the topic better and develop a more focused question.
• 😀 The research question should be significant, interesting, and relevant not just to you but to a broader audience.
• 😀 Avoid overly philosophical or abstract questions that can't be realistically answered in a research paper.
• 😀 Transform vague or poor questions into more specific and researchable ones. For example, refine 'Why must people suffer?' into a focused query about Christian theology.
• 😀 Try to choose a unique angle or perspective for your research question to add originality to your work.
• 😀 Research papers are meant to answer questions that have not been extensively answered before. Aim to provide new insights or perspectives on common topics.

Q & A

Why is it important to have a focused research question?

A focused research question provides clear direction for the research, ensuring that the paper comes together logically and answers a specific query, rather than being a scattered collection of unrelated facts.

What are some challenges students face when developing a research question?

Many students struggle to develop a research question because they may not know enough about the topic, may not be aware of the scope or recent developments, or might find it difficult to narrow down the focus of the question.

What should students do before settling on a research question?

Students should conduct some background research, such as reviewing a Wikipedia article or a few recent news articles, to help them understand the topic better and generate ideas for possible research directions.

What are the characteristics of a good research question?

A good research question is focused, clear, specific, significant, and researchable. It should not be too broad or narrow and should be able to guide the research process effectively.

What happens if a research question is too broad or too narrow?

If a research question is too broad, it might require writing an entire book to answer it. If it is too narrow, it may only require basic facts and not require true research. Both scenarios hinder the depth of the research process.

Why should a research question be specific?

Specific questions provide more clear direction for the research. For example, instead of asking if television is a bad influence, asking which television programs influence specific audiences in particular ways is a much more focused and researchable question.

What is the significance of a research question?

A research question should not only interest the researcher but should also have relevance to others. It should address a topic that can provide meaningful insights or contribute to the understanding of the subject.

What kinds of questions are unsuitable for research papers?

Philosophical or existential questions such as 'Why must people suffer?' or 'What happens after we die?' are unsuitable because they are too broad and cannot be answered through research, which is focused on specific, evidence-based inquiries.

How can a poor research question be improved?

A vague or philosophical question can often be improved by narrowing it down to a more focused, researchable query. For instance, 'Why must people suffer?' can be transformed into 'How have major 20th century Christian theologians explained the purpose of human suffering?'

Why should a research question be unique or creative?

A unique or creative research question offers an opportunity to contribute new perspectives on a topic. Research should not just repeat what has already been answered but should aim to explore a new angle or offer fresh insights.