1. Getting to the Research Question
R. A. Young

2. Searching Online
“Caveat Emptor” Root source of information? Who funded and how did they benefit? Professional credibility and standing? Peer-reviewed materials?
Source:

3. The Research Spiral Identify the Research Problem
Review the Literature
Evaluate Data & Write Report
Specify a Research Question
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
Source: after

4. Two Approaches
Source:

5. What makes up a good Research Question?
The question is actually a question 
It is value-neutral 
It is short 
It is clear 
It is asking only one thing 
The question is not premised on an assumption 
The question can be answered 
A good question is more detailed than something that can be answered as a yes/no
A good question for which we do not already know the answer
Source:

6. Sample Research Questions
The question is actually a question 
It is value-neutral 
It is short 
It is clear 
It is asking only one thing 
The question is not premised on an assumption 
The question can be answered 
A good question is more detailed than something that can be answered as a yes/no
A good question for which we do not already know the answer
Sample Research Questions
Topic: Resilient Buildings Question: What are the more common design characteristics associated with resilient buildings? Question: How do first cost implications affect selection of construction materials and building systems? Question: What examples of resilient buildings have been completed in the US, North America, or throughout the world? Question: Which architects are engaged in resilient building and what are some examples of their buildings? Question: What are the risks and rewards for the adoption of resilient building practices?

7. Class Discussion
Let’s discuss your research topic and potential research question(s).

8. What is an Annotated Bibliography?
A list of citations of books, journal articles or other resources
Each citation is followed by an evaluative description – the annotation.
The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy and quality of the sources referenced.

9. Annotated Bibliography
Annotations should:
Summarize
Assess
Reflect
Try to describe more than the content!

10. Annotated Bibliography
Annotated Bibliography Sample (APA Style citation):
Waite, L. J., Goldschneider, F. K., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults. American Sociological Review, 51(4),
The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis is that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.

11. Annotated Bibliography

12. Assessing Resources Who? When? What? Where? How? Why?

13. Literature Review
Example: 3rd person voice Professional writing style Citation Style Concise ABC…accuracy…brevity…clarity

14. Literature Review

15. Literature Review
Potential questions to answer to determine context, controversies, and gaps.

16. Descriptive Statistics
Mean
Median
Demographics (Gender, Age, etc.)
Percentages
Source:

17. Descriptive Statistics
Standard Distribution
Linear Regression

18. Descriptive Statistics