An Introduction to Research Processes

Back to Defining a Research Question

A workable question has to be narrow enough to allow a fruitful investigation in the library, on the Internet, and/or in the field. Many interesting questions are too immense — the research they would require would take years, not the few weeks you have available: "How is the climate of the earth changing?" "Who are the world's best living storytellers?" "Why does poverty exist?" "What's going on in outer space?" As you consider your question, think carefully about whether it is one that you could answer within your time and length constraints.

You should also consider whether your question is too narrow. If you restrict your topic too far ("How did John F. Kennedy's maternal grandfather influence the decisions he made during his first month as president?"), it may be impossible to find relevant sources.

A question may also be so narrow that it becomes uninteresting — avoid questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no or by stating a few statistics ("Are there more black students or white students in the freshman class this year?"). If a mere source or two could answer your research question, the resulting paper will be a thin summary, not a true research paper. Instead, ask a question that will lead you into the heart of a lively controversy: "How does the ratio of black students to white students affect campus relations?" The best research questions are those about issues that other people take seriously and spend time arguing about. Not only will you find better sources if you focus on a significant, debatable issue, but your paper is more likely to be of real interest to both you and your readers.