Chapter 4 Developing your Research Question Zina O’Leary

The scientific mind does not so much provide the right answers as ask the right questions. Claude Lévi-Strauss Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

The Importance of Research Questions Developing a well-articulated research question is an important part of the process because: it defines the investigation sets boundaries provides direction acts as a frame of reference for assessing your work. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Defining Your Topic If you are finding it a challenge to generate a research topic you can: hone in on your passions use your curiosity look for inspiration from the creative arts develop ‘right brain’ skills such as concept mapping. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Concept Map of Potential Research Topics Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

From Interesting Topics to Researchable Questions An ‘angle’ for your research can come from insights stemming from: personal experience theory observations contemporary issues engagement with the literature. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Minding Practicalities Research directions are not always at the full discretion of the researcher. Practicalities include: appropriateness of the topic your ability to get supervisory support funding opportunities and commitments. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Cycles of Research Question Development Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

The Hypothesis Dilemma Hypotheses are designed to express relationships between variables. If this is the nature of your question, a hypothesis can add to your research. If your question is more descriptive or explorative, generating a hypothesis may not be appropriate. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

The Hypothesis Dilemma A hypothesis may not be appropriate if: you do not have a hunch or educated guess about a particular situation you do not have a set of defined variables your question centres on phenomenological description your question centres on an ethnographic study of a cultural group your aim is to engage in, and research, the process of collaborative change. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Narrowing and Clarifying Narrowing, clarifying, and even redefining your questions is essential to the research process. Forming the right ‘questions’ should be seen as an iterative process that is informed by reading and doing at all stages. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Assessing your Question In order to assess your question you will need to explore whether your question: is right for you is right for the field is well articulated is doable will get the tick of approval from those in the know. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage