HOW TO ASK A GOOD RESEARCH QUESTION

GOOD RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

• Are not too broad
• Are not too narrow
• Are researchable in the library

TOO BROAD

• Broad questions make it hard to focus your research.
• Too broad: What are some features of the solar system?
• Better: How do the planets revolve around the sun?
• Too broad: What is the president's job?
• Better: How does veto power work?

TOO NARROW

• Narrow questions don't yield enough information.
• Too narrow: Is asthma dangerous?
• Better: How do asthma treatments work?
• Too narrow: What is selective mutism?
• Better: What are the causes and treatments of selective mutism?

RESEARCHABLE IN THE LIBRARY

• If you can't research it here, library periods will be a waste.
• Not feasible: When I watch Sponge Bob, how often does he jump?
• Better: How do animators show movement?
• Why: We don't have the resources in the library to watch T.V.

WHAT WILL YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION BE?