Research Help

Getting to the Question

Consider this...

topic + search facts = report (reference)

The ideas and information are not yours. You are simply reporting out factual information. You may learn something new, but you are simply reproducing what you find.

• Who invented the helicopter?
• What are the symptoms of post-tramatic stress syndrome?
• When was the cell phone first introduced to the public?
• Where can hand guns be used for hunting?
• How were helicopters used in Vietnam?

On the other hand...

problem + inquiry investigation = research

The nature of your inquiry depends on the question(s) asked. The question asked will suggest personal connections and generate unique answers.

• Who is the most powerful person in Canada?
• Which treatments for cancer are the most humane?
• When should youth be allowed to vote in federal elections?
• What is the effect of technology on teen literacy?
• How does athletics impact student achievement?

What is an essential question?

Open-ended

no simple or single right answer

addressed through reason rather than opinion/belief

Thought-provoking

unique, often counter-intuitive or controversial answers through problem solving (not found, but invented) generate new questions

Universal

addresss fundamental issues, interdisiciplinary concepts, central to greater understanding

Developing an essential question....

Who?

Substitution

Who else…? Who might…?

NOT Who did…?

What?

Predict (hypothesis posed)

Modify/Magnify/Minimize

Eliminate/Reverse/Alternative

What if…?

NOT What is…?

When?

Which?

Where?

Compare and Contrast

Which one…?

Here or there?

Now or later?

Why?

Cause and Effect

Why do things happen the way they do?

How?

Propose Solution

Which?

Evidence-based Decision

Should?

Moral/Ethical/Practical reasoning

More question templates:

• What are the effect(s) of [actor] on [target]?
• What is the future of [actor] for [target]?
• What are the advantages (or disadvantages) of using [actor] for [target]?
• How do restrictions on [actor] effect [target]?
• How will the dependence of [target] on [actor] effect the future?
• What is the role of [actor] in the relationship between [target] and [target]?

Which Source for that kind of information:

1. An almanac contains facts such as weather, population, currency, and geographical data. Sample Online Almanac

2. An atlas contains maps and most atlases also have mileage indicators. Sample Online Atlas

3. The internet contains current information on many topics, including current weather.

4. An encyclopedia provides a good overall look at a topic. Sample Online Encyclopedia

5. A live interview provides a first-hand account of a person's experiences.

6. A newspaper contains current events, newsworthy topics, or entertainment information. Sample Online Newspaper

Evaluation of Sources Using the C.R.A.A.P Test to check for:

C: Currency

R: Relevancy

A: Authority

A: Accuracy

P: Purpose

As you evaluate each resource, ask yourself if it contains information essential to your topic or if it helps you solve the stated problem. Remember, not all information is important, relevant, or reliable. This is especially true with information found on the World Wide Web.

Ask yourself the following questions as you decide what resources you will use:

• Is the information well researched?
• Is the author an expert on the subject?
• Is the information relevant to my topic? Just because you find an amazing story or fact doesn't mean it needs to be included in your paper. All information and sources must be related directly to your topic.