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Developing Your Research Question. I know what general area, but I’m not sure of my research question?. The Importance of Good Questions. A good research question: Defines the investigation Sets boundaries Provides direction Helps produce good research. Defining Your Topic.
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Developing Your Research Question I know what general area, but I’m not sure of my research question?
The Importance of Good Questions A good research question: • Defines the investigation • Sets boundaries • Provides direction • Helps produce good research
Defining Your Topic If you are finding it a challenge to generate a research topic you can: • Hone in on your passions • Use your curiosity • Look for inspiration from the creative arts • Develop ‘right brain’ skills such as concept mapping
Minding Practicalities Research directions are not always at the full discretion of the researcher. Practicalities include: • Appropriateness of the topic • Your ability to get supervisory support • Funding opportunities and commitments
From Interesting Topics to Researchable Questions • theory • observations/personal experiences • contemporary issues • engagement with the literature • develop a title • Pose the topic as a brief question
Narrowing and Clarifying • Narrowing, clarifying, and even redefining your questions is essential to the research process. • Forming the right ‘questions’ should be seen as an iterative process that is informed by reading and doing at all stages.
The Hypothesis Dilemma • Hypotheses are designed to express relationships between variables. If this is the nature of your question, a hypothesis can add to your research • If your question is more descriptive or explorative, generating a hypothesis may not be appropriate
The Hypothesis Dilemma A hypothesis may not be appropriate if: • You do not have a hunch or educated guess about a particular situation • You do not have a set of defined variables. • Your question centres on phenomenological description • Your question centres on an ethnographic study of a cultural group
Good Question Checklist • Is the question right for me? • Will the question hold my interest? • Can I manage any potential biases/subjectivities I may have?
Good Question Checklist • Is the question right for the field? • Will the findings be considered significant? • Will it make a contribution?
Good Question Checklist • Is the question well articulated? • Are the terms well-defined? • Are there any unchecked assumptions?
Good Question Checklist • Is the question doable? • Can information be collected in an attempt to answer the question? • Do I have the skills and expertise necessary to access this information? If not, can the skills be developed? • Will I be able to get it all done within my time constraints? • Are costs likely to exceed my budget? • Are there any potential ethics problems?
Good Question Checklist • Does the question get the tick of approval from those in the know? • Does my supervisor think I am on the right track? • Do ‘experts’ in the field think my question is relevant/ important/ doable?