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The Research Question

The Research Question. Adam Brennan, Librarian adam.brennan@tulsacc.edu 918.595.7330. Megan Donald, Librarian m egan.donald@tulsacc.edu 918.595.8012. Contents. The Research question Research Bias Brainstorming and Pre-Research Broad and narrow topics Forming keywords.

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The Research Question

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  1. The Research Question Adam Brennan, Librarian adam.brennan@tulsacc.edu 918.595.7330 Megan Donald, Librarian megan.donald@tulsacc.edu 918.595.8012

  2. Contents • The Research question • Research Bias • Brainstorming and Pre-Research • Broad and narrow topics • Forming keywords

  3. What is a Research Question? • What is a research question? • Flow chart • Why research? • STEM and PICO • Evidence based practice • Remember: A good question changes! • Write question down • Later, transform to thesis statement • Choosing meaningful question • Benefit to society • Research corpus: adding to the knowledge of the world • Interest in topic • Learn more about a topic: chance for independent research! • Research is re-search!

  4. Research Bias Don’t fall victim… Do not begin research with your point of view already determined. Use open-ended questions Be aware of polarizing topics Image courtesy of www.nedarc.org

  5. Brainstorming and Pre-Research • Browse your textbook and lecture notes • Peruse magazines and newspapers • Talk to instructors, librarians, or people in the field • Surf the internet (Wikipedia can be very useful for this!) • Gauge for broad and narrow • Learn events, personalities

  6. Brainstorming: Library Resources

  7. Brainstorming: Library Resources

  8. Brainstorming: Trade Publications and Journals

  9. Pre-research 2: Wikipedia • Using Wikipedia Academically • Advantages • Gain familiarity with basic concepts and ideas • Great for keywords • References • Pitfalls

  10. Framing the Question • Identify the main ideas or concepts: The effect of (concept #1) on (concept #2) The role of (concept #1) in (concept #2) The use of (concept #1) in (concept #2)

  11. Framing the Question • What is the effect of reading habits on academic success? • What is the role of media in framing a parent’s decision regarding childhood vaccination? • How does the use of NSA surveillance methods impact a democratic society?

  12. Framing the Question: PICO Population/Patient Intervention Comparisons/Control Outcome

  13. Framing the Question: PICO In infants born prematurely, compared to those born at full term, what is the subsequent lifetime prevalence of developmental disabilities?

  14. Questions to Ask • Does the research question interest you? • Is your research question complex? • Will it appeal to your audience?

  15. Does the question interest you? • Remember: you will be spending a lot of time with this question! • Avoid convenient questions • Avoid fads

  16. Is your question complex? • Google Search test • Begin your question with “How, Why, or What” • Practice dis-belief… Nothing is sacred

  17. Will it appeal to your audience? • Uncover important knowledge ‘gaps’ • Make original contributions • Evaluate unquestioned assumptions • Cross boundaries

  18. The Game • Ref starts with a research question, and the ball is thrown. If you are touched by the ball you must come up with a keyword relevant to the research question – this can be a synonym or a related concept. If successful, the player throws the ball to someone else and the process starts over. • Players have 10 seconds to come up with a response. Failed response results in the player dancing a 5-second jig! • Another player may call “BS” on an answer. If he/she does, the previous player must defend answer. The players then vote thumbs up or thumbs down. If the player calling BS is voted down, he or she must dance a 5-second jig, and play continues. • Player may pass by declaring “Pass” but you must dance a jig … with gusto.

  19. The Game • What is the practicality of using gigantic robots to protect humanity from alien invasion? • How has Woody Guthrie’s music impacted modern artists? • What is the effect of study habits on academic success? • How could paranormal investigation techniques be redesigned to prove the existence of ghouls, goblins, ghosts, vampires, bakemono, wendigo, and other crypotozoological creatures? • What is the role of media in framing a parent’s decision regarding childhood vaccination? • How does the use of NSA surveillance methods impact a democratic society?

  20. Keywords • The Game: Lessons • Advantages • Easy • Natural language (vs. controlled vocabulary) • Searches every part of a document or webpage • Disadvantages • False drops and relevancy • Volume of results

  21. Broad and Narrow Topics • How much time has passed? • Information Timeline • Topics that are part of popular culture • Open ended topics • Broad topics- too many results in a search • Lots of research • Major topics, fields of study • Narrow topics – too few results in a search • No audience • Too pedantic! • What to do when topic is too broad? • Look at subject headings or MeSH good way to narrow • What to do if too narrow?

  22. Societal Benefit

  23. Metro • 918-595-7172 • Northeast • 918-595-7501 • Southeast • 918-595-7701 • West • 918-595-8010 Website: http://library.tulsacc.edu/home

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