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Research questions
- 1. Developing a GoodResearch Question
- 2. Each of youwill be writing one of the following kinds of researched problem-solution essays. 1. Problem-Focused Essay 2. Solution-Focused Essay 3. 50/50 Which type of essay you are writing depends on your topic/problem choice. Which part of your topic is more controversial or is likely to have more skeptics: your problem or your solution?
- 3. For Example… If yourproblem is: Children not receiving the HPV vaccine nationwide, And your solution is: offer the vaccine for all children and young adults age 12-25 as a free part of a new health care bill.
- 4. You are writinga “Problem” essay
- 5. For Example… If yourproblem is: increasing rate of obesity in the US; And your solution is: raise taxes on fast food.
- 6. You are writinga “Solution” essay
- 7. For Example… If yourproblem is: lack of regulation on ingredients in energy drinks, And your solution is: consumers must be 21 years of age and show a valid ID to purchase
- 8. You are writinga “50/50” essay
- 9. Now take afew minutes to jot down at least 5 “Research Questions” Think of your purpose for writing (to persuade ________ to believe _________) and reverse that statement into a question. A good research question isn’t something that can be answered by a fact or statistic. A true “research question” gets at something larger/more complex that has been troubling you.
- 10. Examples of NOTappropriate RESEARCH QUESTIONS: (these are practical questions you don’t know the answer to, but will be able to look up and answer by locating one particular source) 1. What is the rate of obesity in the US today? What was it 10 years ago? 2. How many Americans today have HPV? What do immunologists predict this number will look like in 10 years if the vaccine isn’t mandated? 3. What are the health risks of energy drinks? 4. What are the toxic ingredients found in energy drinks? 5. Which brand(s) of energy drink is the most toxic? 6. What are the negative affects of atrazine (pesticide) on the environment?
- 11. Examples of goodResearch Questions: (this is the question your thesis will answer) 1. Should we raise taxes on fast food to curb obesity in the US? 2. How can the government help lower teen and young adult exposure to HPV? 3. Are energy drinks harmful if consumed on a regular basis? 4. Could any environmental factors have made my hometown a “hotspot” for increased cancer risk? 5. How should wolf populations be regulated in the state of Idaho? 6. Are dams in prime salmon habitat worth the benefits of irrigation and hydroelectricity? 7. Should the Keystone XL Pipeline be built?
- 12. Examples of ResearchQuestions that are TOO BROAD: 1. How can we solve the economic crisis in the US? 2. Is ObamaCare the best health care bill for this country at this time? 3. Is the death penalty a just punishment for our worst criminals? 4. How can we better control illegal immigration? 5. Due to the advancement of technology and the evolution of humankind, is it logical to still fight wars? 6. Is organic food truly healthier? 7. What can be done to make Americans less materialistic or driven by consumerism? 8. What is the best way to slow population growth?
- 13. Take a minute,now, to rewrite your ONE main research question, then answer it to the best of your ability (this answer is called your “hypothesis” and will serve as your working thesis until you accumulate more research. Note: this thesis should EVOLVE over the course of the next several weeks (should not be a static/fixed statement you already KNOW to be true). If you are not willing to change your mind or think more critically about this thesis, then this research topic is not worth pursuing and you should pick a different topic.