Canvas Content Repository: Refine: From Topic to Research Question

Refine: From Topic to Research Question

Once you have an understanding of your topic, it’s time to narrow it into a focused research question that will guide your research.   

A strong research question: 

• Supports multiple possibilities and perspectives 

• Is open-ended and cannot be answered with “yes,” “no,” or a simple fact

• Scope is usually 3-4 concepts (example: What impact do skill assessments have on the career outcomes of college graduates?)    

• Often begins with how, what, or why 

Ask yourself: what do I want to learn about my topic?  

Focusing Your Research Question

Here are some strategies to focus your research question: 

• Personal Interest: Is there a specific aspect of the topic that interests you the most? 

• Demographic Group Affected: What are the unique challenges faced by male nurses in predominantly female healthcare environments? 

• Geographic Location: What impact do agritourism activities--such as "pick-your-own"--have on the economic development in Vermont? 

• Time Period: How did the Nazi party use German nationalism to strengthen its political influence in the decade leading up to World War 2? 

Where Are We?

We are at step four of the research process: refining by creating a research question.

Strategies for refining your topic include: 

• Creating a research question
• Developing a thesis statement
• Identifying counterarguments

Characteristics of a strong research question:

• Supports multiple possibilities and perspectives 
• Often begins with how, what, or why

• Is open-ended and cannot be answered with “yes,” “no,” or a simple fact

A research question narrows and guides your research