CHAPTER 1

Exercise 1.2. – How to write a research question

After watching CLIP 2, give a brief answer for each following question.
1. What is a research question?
A research question is a clear, focused, concise, complex and arguable question a round which
you center your research. You should ask a question about an issue that you are curious about.

2. Why do we need research question(s)?

Research questions help writers focus their research by providing a path through the research
and writing process. The specificity of well-developed research questions helps writers avoid
the “all-about” paper and work toward supporting a specific, arguable thesis.

3. What are steps to develop a research question?

- Do some preliminary research on your general topic (to see what questions the early research
raises)
- Consider your audience (to narrow your topic)
- Start asking questions (open-ended, Why/ How/ To what extent/ What- questions)
- Evaluate your questions (clear, focused, concise, complex, arguable)
- Hypothesize (if….)