Steps to Developing a Research Question
You have an idea on a topic or subject that interests you and you've done some background reading. Now what?
What questions emerged during your reading? You should now begin asking open-ended questions about your topic. These questions should usually be "how," "why," or "to what extent?" questions.
Evaluate the questions. Once you have asked possible research questions, evaluate them to determine whether they are clear, focused, and arguable.
Consider the directions in which your research make take you. You could determine where your research might take you by:
What questions emerged during your reading? You should now begin asking open-ended questions about your topic. These questions should usually be "how," "why," or "to what extent?" questions.
Evaluate the questions. Once you have asked possible research questions, evaluate them to determine whether they are clear, focused, and arguable.
- Clear - will the reader understand the nature of my research?
- Focused - is the research question specific enough to be answered in the time and length allotted?
- Arguable - does the research question allow for analysis, evaluation, and the development of a successful argument?
Consider the directions in which your research make take you. You could determine where your research might take you by:
- suggest possible outcomes of your research
- outlining the possible argument you might make and how your research will support this
- consider options if the resources you find in your research are not enough to sustain your argument
Formulating Well-Focused Research Questions
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Step 1: Choose your subject area
Which subject area is of most personal interest to you? Is there something you are especially curious about in one of your IB courses? Step 3: Suggest a question___________________________. Try to describe your research by developing a question that specifies something about your topic. I am studying ______________________ because I want to find out (who, what, when, where, whether, why or how) Example: I am studying public funding for the arts because I want to find out how accessible the arts are to those people who are live on low incomes. Direct question: To what extent are the arts accessible to people who belong to the class of the working poor? Will you be able to argue a specific position? What are some possible issues or arguments? Step 5: Review with your supervisor. Is your supervisor able to understand the nature of your research? Is it clear to your supervisor how and why your topic is relevant in your subject area? |
Step 2: Choose a topic that interests you
Describe your work in one sentence. I want to learn about __________________________. Example: I want to learn about public funding for the arts. Step 4: Evaluate your question. Answer the questions: Is there a range of perspectives on this topic? Does the research question allow for analysis, evaluation and the development of a reasoned argument? I am studying __________________ because I want to find out ____________________________ in order to understand (how, why or whether) ________________________________________________. Example: I am studying public funding for the arts because I want to find out how accessible the arts are to the working poor so I can determine whether tax dollars support cultural enrichment for all citizens regardless of their socio-economic status. Step 6: Reflection. If you can adequately respond to the “so what?” question, you may be on your way to a clear and focused research question using your initial topic idea. |
Phrasing Your Question
The IB requires that all research questions are phrased as actual questions. Statements, claims, titles or subtitles will score poorly on Criterion A on focus and method. Statement titles often lead to unfocused essays, and that will affect your marks for Criteria B and C as well. In order to communicate the relevance, pertinence and focus of your research question to your reader (the examiner), it is recommended that you phrase your question effectively. In other words, the wording of your question matters. It sets expectations and captures the essence of your research. So which words should you include, and which phrases are better to avoid?
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Useful phrases for the RQ:
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Phrases to avoid in your RQ:
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Sample Research Questions
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Unclear, Unfocused, and Unarguable
Why are social networking sites harmful?
Why did the Grimm Brothers write fairy tales?
What is the childhood obesity rate in South Carolina?
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Clear, Focused, Specific Questions that Allow for In-
Depth Research To what extent are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on social networking sites like Instagram and Facebook? What was the influence of nineteenth-century German politics on the Grimm brothers' writing of Hansel and Gretel? To what extent does the education level of parents impact childhood obesity in South Carolina? |
An Important Note:
A question that is unclear or too broad will result in a narrative overview of the issue or event being discussed and provide little scope for analysis and reasoned argument. The result of this is that IB examiners will not be able to apply the range of marks available in the assessment criteria, particularly in relation to criterion C (critical thinking).
A question that is unclear or too broad will result in a narrative overview of the issue or event being discussed and provide little scope for analysis and reasoned argument. The result of this is that IB examiners will not be able to apply the range of marks available in the assessment criteria, particularly in relation to criterion C (critical thinking).
