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ESS - Developing_a_Research_Question

The document outlines the process of developing a research question, emphasizing the importance of defining the topic area, describing the problem, specifying the gap, and creating the research question. It provides a structured approach with examples, focusing on the issue of food wastage at weddings in India. The document encourages refining the question through evaluation and discussion with supervisors or instructors.

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zikrashk23
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11 views2 pages

ESS - Developing_a_Research_Question

The document outlines the process of developing a research question, emphasizing the importance of defining the topic area, describing the problem, specifying the gap, and creating the research question. It provides a structured approach with examples, focusing on the issue of food wastage at weddings in India. The document encourages refining the question through evaluation and discussion with supervisors or instructors.

Uploaded by

zikrashk23
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DEVELOPING A

RESEARCH QUESTION
Your research question guides your project from beginning to completion. Unlike your topic, which may
be fairly general, your research question will define the specific scope of your project. In other words,
the research question tells readers what you’re trying to find out.

DEVELOP YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION


1. DEFINE THE TOPIC AREA
In a sentence or two, describe your broad topic or area of research. (Example: “Smoking cessation.”)

2. DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM


In a sentence or two, describe a problem that could be addressed in your topic or area of research.
(Example: “Smokers often relapse because of complex physical and psychological factors.”)

3. SPECIFY THE GAP & JUSTIFY THE INVESTIGATION


What is unknown or unresolved? Why should we bother investigating it? (Example: We don’t know what
combination of physical and psychological factors is most often associated with smoking relapse.)

4. CREATE THE RESEARCH QUESTION


(1) Brainstorm as many questions as you can think of that relate to your research topic/problem/gap.
Try starting questions with what, why, when, where, who, and how; in general, avoid questions that will result in only
“yes” or “no” answers.

(2) Draft a primary question: Do you see one main question emerging from the list above? If not, try doing some
additional reading or thinking, or talk to your supervisor or instructor (Example: How do the physiological and
psychological effects of smoking make it difficult for young adults to quit smoking?)

(3) Draft secondary research questions: What information do you need to gather to answer your primary
question? (Example: Before we can answer the question of “how” physiological and psychological effects
make it difficult to quit smoking, we need to identify what the key effects are.)

ASSESS & REFINE


Evaluate your research question. Ask yourself Talk it over. Use this worksheet to talk with your
the following questions: will readers understand it supervisor or instructor about the scope and
on first reading? Is it feasible given your time and direction of your research plan.
resources? Does it contribute to a wider academic
conversation? Revisit often! Keep your research question in mind
throughout the research and writing process.
Tighten your focus. Look at every word in your
question. Replace as many as you can with You may find that you need to adapt your research
more specific language or ideas (e.g., instead of question as you learn more.
“students,” say “Grade 9 students in Ontario”).

lib.uoguelph.ca
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
DEVELOPING A
RESEARCH QUESTION
1. DEFINE THE TOPIC AREA
In a sentence or two, describe your broad topic or area of research.
My idea will basically revolve around the food wastage from weddings in India. How we can plan
some strategies to reduce or stop food wastage.

2. DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM


In a sentence or two, describe a problem that would be addressed in your topic or area of research.
Big fat weddings in India - cost analysis, budgeting and weighing the waste food.

3. SPECIFY THE GAP & JUSTIFY THE INVESTIGATION


What is unknown or unresolved? Why should we bother investigating it?
No accountability is kept for the wastage of food in marriages.

4. CREATE THE RESEARCH QUESTION


(1) Brainstorm as many questions as you can think (2) Draft a primary question. Do you see one main
of that relate to your research. question emerging from the list above?
1. How does the number of guests (IV) affect the How to curb the food wastage in India?
amount of food wasted (DV) at Indian weddings?

2. How does the type of meal service (IV: buffet


vs. plated) impact food wastage (DV) at Indian
weddings?

3. What is the impact of food wastage (IV) on the


carbon footprint (DV) of Indian weddings? (3) Draft secondary research questions. What
information do you need to gather to answer your
primary question?

Data collection includes the amount of


food being wasted in kilograms, and the
carbon footprint.

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