Research Questions

Developing a research question can help narrow a paper topic and build a strong thesis statement. Some elements to consider including in a research question include:

Population

Age, gender, educational level, or other demographic

Example: Internet use by seniors

Discipline

The context in which the topic is studied

Example: Celtic symbolism in contemporary popular culture

Comparison and Counterargument

Opposing influences and potential problems or obstacles

Example: Republican vs. Democrat attitudes towards financial aid for college students

Geography

A region, state, or country

Example: Insect control in Vermont orchards

Causes and Influences

The reason something happens or the impacts and effects

Example: Birth order has an influence on personality traits

Process

The steps needed for change or progress to happen

Example: States should increase taxes to provide better food in schools

Concept Mapping & Clustering

Draw a concept map to connect different parts of a topic so you can start to see the big picture. Seeing the big picture will help you pick a smaller part of it to focus on.

RESEARCH TIP

Don't start outlining or writing a draft until you know how much of a topic you can cover in your paper. The questions you have about a topic should be answered before you start writing.