The Research Question

STEP 4: DEVELOP A RESEARCH QUESTION

Writing a working research question BEFORE you collect lots of information will help you clarify your focus and identify exactly what you are looking for. This will help you to avoid collecting massive amounts of unnecessary information.

The six key concepts for the history course can be a very useful starting point in helping you to formulate a question:

Source: JHU Sheridan Libraries & University Museums. “Developing a Research Question.” YouTube, June 14, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF1Yu1aL2hw.

What makes a question a “good” research question?

Allows for debate among historians and multiple perspectives
Relates to one of the six key concepts of DP history: causation, consequence, continuity, change, significance, or perspective
Not too broad (should not require an entire book to be written to answer it)
Not too narrow (should not be able to be answered with a just few facts)
Is interesting to you!

*If you Google your research question and find the answer, it is NOT a good research question! Research is not about asking questions that have already been answered!

YOU CAN USE THIS FORMULA:

To what extent _____________________ significant to/a result of/successful as compared to _________________________ ?

Bad question: How important were the Watts Riots of 1965?

Good question: To what extent were the Watts Riots of 1965 significant to the establishment of the Black Panther Party
for Self-Defense in 1966?

*Note how this version is more specific. Also note that the addition of "significance" will encourage analysis in your paper!

Phrasing Your Question:
(any of these can potentially be changed to "to what extent" questions)

events/inventions/styles

- How did Event A compare and/or contrast to Event B?
- Was Small Event A significant to Bigger Event B?
- How significant was Small Event A to Bigger Event B?
- Why was Small Event A significant to Bigger Event B?
- To what extent was Bigger Event A due to Smaller Event B?

countries

- How did the way Country A handled Event A compare or contrast to the way Country B handled Event A?
- How successful was Country A in Event A?
- Was Country A significant to beginning/ending Event A?
- How significant was Country A to Event A?
- Why was Country A significant to Event A?
- To what extent was Event A due to Country A's decisions?

people/leaders

- How did Person A's leadership compare or contrast to Person B's leadership?
- How did the way Person A handled Event A compare or contrast to the way Person B handled Event A?
- Analyze Person A’s choice to take Action A.
- How successful was Person A in Event A?
- Was Person A significant to Event A?
- How significant was Person A to Event A?
- Why was Person A significant to Event A?
- To what extent was Event A due to Person A's decisions?

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