RQ

TIME
Developing your Research Question
Before you start your
research:
• Open a blank Word Document on Office 365

• Title your new document "Annotated

Bibliography"
o You'll thank me later

• Type a list of 1-3 TOPICS that interest you

o Topics are BROAD ideas that you can refine
into a research question
 • Begin searching the Library databases
Head to the o You need to find at least THREE articles

Library o Do you know your topic? You need 3

articles on that topic.
o Not sure of your topic? Find one
article for each of your 3 ideas. 

• PIN EVERY ARTICLE YOU FIND! 

o You can always un-pin later. 
Do Some Research
• For each article you find:
o Copy the citation from the library
o Paste it into your "Annotated Bibliography"
o Write 1-2 sentences under the citation as to
why you think it might be a helpful article
for your research

• Rinse and Repeat 

• Again, you need THREE articles total.

 • Write your TOPIC (big idea) in the middle of

RQ Time – Take your paper. Circle it. 

o If you have more than one idea, section out
out a sheet of your paper into two or three sections

scratch paper • Write related topics from the articles you have

read around your big idea and connect them
o Concept map style!

• Brainstorm other topics or related concepts and

connect them to your big idea.
RQ drafting
• Return to your "Annotated Bibliography" Word Doc. 

• For each of your BIG IDEAS, you should come up with one potential Research
Question (RQ)

• Use one of the following sentence stems:

o In what ways
o How
o To what extent 
Check yourself • Read your question(s) back. Is it a yes or no
before your question? 
o If so, try again. 
wreck yourself
• Avoid writing a question that passes judgment
o Ex: To what extent are school uniforms
harmful to students?
o Better: What are the effects of school
uniforms on high school students?
Think it's almost there?

• Drop it in the discussion board 

o Respond to at least TWO other RQ's 
o Constructive feedback please!