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What Makes a Good Research Question?
Firstly, Research Questions often look a little differently across different subjects. In Science and Social Sciences, they need to be repeatable.
Focus on Analysis Over Description
DO: "To what extent did the Industrial Revolution transform urban family structures?"
NOT: "What happened during the Industrial Revolution?"
Maintain a Single Focus
DO: "How significant was social media's role in the Arab Spring protests of 2011?"
NOT: "How did social media and economic conditions influence the Arab Spring protests and what were their outcomes?"
Promote Critical Thinking
Use prompts that encourage deeper analysis:
"How significant..."
"To what extent..."
"How successful..."
"What if..."
Ensure Complexity
Questions should:
Require research to answer
Allow for different viewpoints/perspectives
Support argument development
Not have obvious or simple answers
Require critical thinking and evaluation
Go beyond simple facts or descriptions
Clarity & Focus
Must be specific and well-defined
Avoids ambiguity or multiple interpretations
Has clear boundaries of investigation
From IB:
Research Feasibility
Has accessible sources and evidence
Can be investigated within essay limits
Supported by available data or literature
Academic Value
Connects to Higher Level subject content
Contributes meaningfully to the field
Shows scholarly significance
Personal Investment
Sparks genuine curiosity
Maintains long-term interest
Motivates thorough investigation
How to Refine Your Research Question...
How to Refine Your Research Question...
Start Broad, Then Narrow Down: Begin with a broad topic that interests you, then brainstorm smaller, specific questions that focus on particular aspects of that topic.
Evaluate Feasibility: Consider the timeframe and resources available to you. Ask yourself if you can realistically answer the question given your constraints.
Seek Feedback: Discuss your initial question with teachers, or peers. Their insights can help you refine it further and ensure its clarity and focus.
Draft and Revise: Don’t be afraid to revise your question as you conduct preliminary research. As you learn more about your topic, it’s common for your question to evolve and become more precise.
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