Defining Your Research Question

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Defining Your Research Question Thesis

• IDS110 Lab Section 102
• Debbie Cheng

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What is a Research Question?

• A research question is the argument you are
  making that can be supported or refuted through
  research evidence.
• Asks a clear, concise question instead of simply
  stating a broad issue.

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From Topic to Research Question

• If your topic is either too broad or too narrow,
  consider adding/eliminating the following
  elements to solve the problem
• Time Period century, decade, future, etc.
• Population Type age, gender, nationality,
  species, etc.
• Geographic Location country, state, region, etc.
• Point of View economic, social, cultural,
  biological

Slide source University of Georgia Libraries
Research Guide Home-http//www.libs.uga.edu/resear
chcentral/defining/creating.html
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Research Question Development Cycle
Slide source OLeary, Z. (2004) The Essential
Guide to doing research. London Sage. Chapter 3.
www.sagepub.co.uk/resources/oleary/olearychapter03
.ppt
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Good Research Question Checklist

• Does the question interest me?
• Does the question spark my own thoughts and
  opinions?

Slide source OLeary, Z. (2004) The Essential
Guide to doing research. London Sage. Chapter 3.
www.sagepub.co.uk/resources/oleary/olearychapter03
.ppt
6
Good Research Question Checklist

• Is the question well articulated?
• Are the terms well-defined?
• Are there any unchecked assumptions?

Slide source OLeary, Z. (2004) The Essential
Guide to doing research. London Sage. Chapter 3.
www.sagepub.co.uk/resources/oleary/olearychapter03
.ppt
7
Good Research Question Checklist

• Is the question doable?
• Can information be collected in an attempt to
  answer the question?
• Will I be able to get it all done within my time
  constraints? Is the question easily and fully
  researchable?

Slide source OLeary, Z. (2004) The Essential
Guide to doing research. London Sage. Chapter 3.
www.sagepub.co.uk/resources/oleary/olearychapter03
.ppt
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What is a Thesis Statement?

• A one- or two-sentence condensation of the
  argument or analysis that is to follow in the
  paper.
• A way to provide your reader with a guide to
  your argument.

Slide Source How to Write a Thesis Statement.
Indiana University Writing Tutorial Services.
http//www.indiana.edu/wts/pamphlets/thesis_state
ment.shtmlunassigned
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Research Question to Thesis

• Broad Topic Legalization of Marijuana
• Research Question Would the legalization of
  marijuana increase or decrease drug use among US
  teenagers?
• THESIS TOPIC SPECIFIC ASSERTION
• Thesis Legalization of marijuana will
  destabilize the societal norm that drug use is
  dangerous and increase the prevalence of
  marijuana consumption.

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Good Thesis Statement Checklist

• Does the thesis takes a stand?
• How does the thesis statement show conclusions
  about a subject?

Slide Source How to Write a Thesis Statement.
Indiana University Writing Tutorial Services.
http//www.indiana.edu/wts/pamphlets/thesis_state
ment.shtmlunassigned
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Good Thesis Statement Checklist

• Does the thesis express one main idea?
• Can readers see the main point of the paper?
• Is the thesis statement specific in addressing
  exactly what the paper is about and keeping it to
  a manageable topic?

Slide Source How to Write a Thesis Statement.
Indiana University Writing Tutorial Services.
http//www.indiana.edu/wts/pamphlets/thesis_state
ment.shtmlunassigned