Identifying and Writing Research Questions STS Issue Investigation: Part II

Purpose of Research Questions n Purpose of studying STS Issues is to be more informed: –Asking questions leads to more information Research questions lead to investigations Investigations lead to answers. More answers lead to an informed decision on the issue.

Variables? n Variables are specific factors and conditions in the issue. –Let’s call the variables a,b,c, etc. –Research questions are usually written in the following format: n To what extent does a affect b ?

Affect? n There are several ways to express relationship between the variables: n To what extent does a increase b? n To what extent does a distort b? n To what extent is a knowledgeable of b?

Let’s look at an STS Issue... See Magrogan for a copy of this article)

Pesticide Issue n What are the variables in this issue? n A. n B. n C. n D. n E. n F. n G.

Are the variables in our list somehow inter-related? What information do you need to help resolve this issue? Can you think of a question which will provide some data to help you make a more informed decision on this issue?

Try to write a basic research question in the following format: To what extent does a affect b? There is more to writing a more perfect research question…………..

Rules for writing research questions……... n 1. State in question form n 2. Avoid yes or no responses n 3. Indicate a population or area n 4. Derive the question from the issue. n 5. Specify the variable to be measured. n 6. Specify relationship between variables n 7. Make sure the question is important

Let’s see if your questions obey the rules……. n Group1- n Group 2- n Group 3- n Group 4- n Group 5-

Practice what you learned…. n Here is a list of 4 questions… n Using the slide on the 7 rules for writing RQ’s… –Read each question –Determine if the question obeys all 7 rules –Circle yes/no to the above determination –Correct the problematic RQ’s to obey the rules...

Question 1 n Are agricultural chemicals a problem?

Question 2 n Are agricultural chemicals affecting farmers?

Question 3 n To what extent do farmers in Champaign County comply with the instructions for mixing and applying chemicals?

Question 4 n To what extent do the farmers of Champaign County believe that the use of agricultural chemicals pose a danger for groundwater contamination?