LESSON 1:

Developing a
Research Question

-A CRC initiative
Agenda/Topics to Be Covered
• What is a Research
• Research Framework
• Choosing a Theme
• Steps to develop a research question
• Evaluate & Finalize your research question
• Summary
Understanding Research
Research ??

Research is an organized, systematic,

data based, critical, objective, scientific
inquiry into a specific problem that
needs a solution.
Good Research
A Good research starts with developing a great Research
Question i.e. Finding Focus within your Issue

Good
Research

Well
Defined
Question
 Research Framework

Draw
Theme Research Research Collect Analysis
Inference
/Topic Question Method Data Data
s
What is a Research Question

A clear , focused ,concise ,

complex and arguable question
around which you center your
research.
Why Do I need a Research Question
1. A research question helps keep your
research focused and on track.

2. The answer to this question will turn into

your research paper.
Steps to Formulating well-focused
research questions
Step -1
Choose your topic area you would like to focus on based
on interest, passion or pure curiosity of the group.

You could start reflecting and writing about the following

• 1 What am I passionate about?
• 2. What inspires me?
• 3. What do I want to try and change?
Think of a themes you are passionate about
Discuss and write Sub topics of your chosen theme

Theme : Women and Technology

Another approach could be
What problems you see around yourself?
Step -2
Select three possible areas of study that your team would
like to explore further using your mind map.
• Then describe your topic of interest in one sentence:
• I want to learn about _____________.

Examples
• I want to learn about recycling practices in our school
• I want to learn about food my friends bring in their
tiffin's
Step 3 –
Try to describe your research by developing a sentence
that specifies something about your topic.
• I am studying _____because I want to find out (who,
what, when, where, whether, why or how) ______.
Examples:
• I am studying recycling practices in our school
because I want to find out how we can get students to
recycle more.
• I am studying the food my friend bring in their tiffin's
because I want to find out whether the food has
necessary ingredients for a growing child.
Step 4 –
Convert your direct statements into direct questions:
For this let us use three question starters:
• To what extent…(the most popular across beginner researchers)
• How (successful/crucial/reliable/significant/far)...
• Why…
Example ( Rephrase previous version of question )
I am studying recycling practices in our school because I want to find out
how we can get students reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill.

To what extent are recycling practices used in a school

environment in order that students effectively reduce the amount
of waste going to landfill?
Step 5 –
Evaluate your question. Now, ask yourself:
1. “Can I argue a position here?”, “Are there enough
issues to explore?” This is called self-assessment and
reflection.
2. “Is there a range of perspectives on this topic?”
3. “Does the Research Question allow for analysis,
evaluation and the development of a reasoned
argument?”
Step 6 –
Review with your teachers.
• Is your teacher able to understand the nature of your
research question and research?
• Is it clear to your teacher how and why your topic is
relevant to you?
• Is it clear to your teacher how your research question
relates to the theme selected by your team?
Your Research question is ready …

To identify areas of research within your question add

‘who, what, when, where, whether, why or how’-
questions to speech bubbles around your question.
References-
• George Mason University Writing Center. (2008). How to write a
research question.
• Retrieved from http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/?p=307
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89NonP_iZZo
• https://www.slideshare.net/RCB78/developing-a-research-
question-77171119