This document provides guidance on narrowing a research topic and formulating an effective research question. It discusses selecting an initial broad topic and then refining it by considering limiting factors like viewpoint, time, place, and population. This allows the topic to be focused enough to investigate within the constraints of a research paper. Several examples are provided to demonstrate how to take a broad topic and apply limiting criteria to develop a clear and answerable research question. Key aspects of a good research question are that it is relevant, investigable, and passes the "So What?" test of being worth exploring. Common pitfalls to avoid are questions that are too broad, narrow, or unanswerable.

7. FROM TOPIC TO RQ

8. Narrow By Viewpoint TOPIC VIEWPOINT LIMITERS RQ Internet Security Cultural, Social, Legal, Medical, Ethical, Biological, Psychological, Economic, Political, or Philosophical aspects What is the constitutionality of Internet filtering technology in public libraries? Vitamins Will a regimen of vitamin therapy prevent heart disease? Cell Phones Should laws be enacted to prevent cell phone use in automobiles?

9. Narrow By Time TOPIC TIME LIMITERS RQ Vitamins Date, Year, Century, Era, Decade, Current, Future, Emerging, Trends What new developments in vitamin therapy will help prevent heart disease? What current internet security measures are public libraries using to protect their patron’s personal information? Internet Security What did fashion design trends in the 1920’s say about American sexual mores? Fashion design

10. Narrow By Place TOPIC PLACE LIMITERS Country, Continent Region, City, State, Place, Organization, Institution RQ Steroids in athletics How prevalent is steroid use among NCAA college baseball players? Obesity Is fast-food to blame for the rising obesity rates in the United States?

11. Narrow By Population TOPIC Eating Disorders POPULATION LIMITERS Age, Gender, Nationality, Species, Group RQ What new therapeutic options are available to Bulimia in teenage girls ? Telecommuting Does telecommuting increase work productivity for stay-at-home mothers ?

12. Put It All Together

13. Topic: Management Limiters Limiting Criteria Narrowed RQ Viewpoint “ glass ceiling” Management practices to eliminate the glass ceiling ? Place US American corporations; Fortune 500 Companies Time Present Current initiatives? Population Women Women Managers What current , effective management practices have American Fortune 500 companies initiated to eliminate the “ glass ceiling” for their women managers ?