Getting started to conduct research

Outline 1.From topics to questions 2.From questions to problems

1. From topics to questions

Finding a topic -Start with your interest -Skim a recent textbook -Talk to other students -Consult your teacher -Find information on the Internet -Find information in the library (domain- dependent dictionary, encyclopedia) -Locate easily available resources

Broad topic vs. Focused topic Too broad: The history of commercial aviation Narrower topic: The crucial contribution of the military in the development of the DC-3 in the early years of commercial aviation (add some action)

From a focused topic to questions -Reports should not offer only random bits of information -Information should be gathered and presented in relation to an interesting question -Find out what you don’t know about a topic

From a focused topic to questions -Find out what you don’t know about a topic -Ask who, what, when, where, how and why -Identify the parts and how they interrelate -Identify its characteristics (variations)

From a focused topic to questions -Find out what you don’t know about a topic -Identify its categories -Determine its value (usefulness)

From a focused topic to questions -Evaluate your questions -How and Why questions may invite deeper research -Group smaller questions into larger ones * A question narrows your search to only relevant data for its answer

Interesting questions vs. significant questions -What makes this question worth asking? SO WHAT?

Tips Step 1: Name your topic I am learning about/working on/studying_______________. Step 2: Add a question (study’s objective) because I want to find out how/why_________________.

Tips Step 3: Motivate your question (significance) in order to help my reader understand how/why/whether_______________.

Summary 1.What you are writing about – your topic 2. What you don’t know about it – your question 3. Why you want your reader to know about it – your rationale

2. From questions to problems

Practical Problems vs. Research Problems A research problem = what you do not know or understand but you must know or understand before you can solve practical problem

Practical Problems vs. Research Problems Practical Problem Research Answer Research Question Research Problem

Practical Problems vs. Research Problems Research Problem Incomplete knowledge or flawed understanding Practical Problem Some unhappy conditions

Nature of practical problems Conditions (any state) –I missed the bus. –The hole in the ozone layer is growing. Costs of the conditions (unhappiness) –I will be late for work and may lose my job. –Many will die from skin cancer.

Nature of research problems Conditions (not knowing or understanding) –I don’t know about gender differences in learning styles. Costs of the conditions (abstract) –I may not be able to create learning materials suitable for male and female students.

Finding a good research problem Ask for help Look for problems as you read Look for the problem that your claim solves