1. Developing Your Research Question
And creating a plan to answer it!

2. A Great Question is ESSENTIAL!
A great question is essential to all research, whether the final product is a paper, a vacation, or the purchase of a new car.
By asking the right question, you provide the reader with a thought-provoking issue to ponder.
In academic research, the question you are researching is expressed as either a question or a statement in the introduction of your paper or project.
Short synopsis of what you want to find out and a road map of the points you will make to support your case

3. As you determine your problem statement remember:
Be specific about what you want to know.
Don’t put your professor to sleep!
Use the three higher-level thinking skills - analysis, synthesis, evaluation.
Offer depth and insight!
Deal with questions, issues and controversies!
Stir something up! Debate! Discuss!
Now you are setting yourself up to draw well- supported conclusions!

4. What about pizza? (A Broad (and tasty) Topic)

5. But just “Pizza” is to broad… Narrow Your Focus!
Broad Topic - Pizza
Restricted Topic – Pepperoni Pizza
Narrowed Topic – Pepperoni Pizza Restaurants
Even MORE Narrow – Pepperoni Pizza Restaurants in Gainesville
Research Question – Where can I get the most flavorful pepperoni pizza in Gainesville?

6. Some early suggestions that will save revisions later:
As you begin creating your problem question/statement consider that this will become your introductory paragraph of your final paper.
Use a formal, scholarly writing style. If you don't feel comfortable with that, go to GALILEO and pull up a few journal articles for a model.
Don't address the reader directly - "You will find..." "We know that..." "Everyone is familiar with..."
Don't get personal - "In my experience..." “I was surprised to see..." Words like you, I, we, etc aren’t acceptable in a formal paper. They take the focus off the facts and place them on the reader or writer.
Use past tense when talking about the findings of an article - "Smith (2007) reported that communication in business..."