Research questions and scope
Turn a broad interest into a focused question that evidence can answer.
Before you begin
- Evaluating sources
- Synthesis and qualified claims
Define the object and limits of inquiry
A manageable research question identifies what is being investigated and sets boundaries such as a population, period, place or type of text. 'Does technology help education?' is too broad for most school projects. Narrowing should preserve a worthwhile issue while making it possible to gather and evaluate relevant evidence within the available time.
Match the question to available evidence
A causal question requires stronger evidence than a descriptive comparison. Interviews can illuminate participants' experiences but do not automatically measure achievement or establish causation. Before collecting information, consider permissions, privacy and whether existing published evidence can answer the question. Avoid collecting personal information that is unnecessary for the task.
Worked example
Refine the question 'Are school libraries useful?' for a small research project using anonymous published attendance records.
Show the worked solution
- Choose an observable outcome the records actually contain.
- Specify a defined setting and period.
- Use a descriptive question rather than claiming to measure all educational benefits.
How did recorded library attendance change during the six-week extended-hours trial at the school?
Try it yourself
Which question best fits attendance records alone?
Common mistakes
- A precise question is not automatically answerable with the evidence you have.
What can you explain now?
Why does a question about students' reported satisfaction differ from a question about their examination performance?
Compare with the explanation
They ask about different outcomes and need different evidence.
A satisfaction survey measures reported experience, not examination results. A project should not substitute an easily available measure for the actual question without acknowledging the change.
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Original StudyForA content. AI-assisted checks completed; subject-teacher review is still pending. These lessons are not endorsed by an exam board.
Common Core English language arts standards ↗