This document provides guidance on developing a good research question for an essay. It explains the three types of essays - problem-focused, solution-focused, and 50/50 - and how to determine which type is appropriate based on whether the problem or solution is more controversial. It provides examples of good research questions that are thought-provoking and can't be answered with a single fact, as well as examples of questions that are too broad or practical. The document instructs students to rewrite their main research question and provide an initial "hypothesis" or thesis to answer it.

1. Developing a Good Research Question

2. Each of you will 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 your problem 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 writing a “Problem” essay

5. For Example…
If your problem is: increasing rate of obesity in the US;
And your solution is: raise taxes on fast food.

6. You are writing a “Solution” essay

7. For Example…
If your problem 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 writing a “50/50” essay

9. Now take a few 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 NOT appropriate 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 good Research 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 Research Questions 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.