1. What is Youth-Led Research and How to Write a Research Question

2. Youth-led research
A process by which young people identify and investigate issues that are important to or affect them (and their communities) with the aim of using that information to create change

3. What is youth-led research?
Purposeful – generally driven by a change agenda
Young people’s voice
Young people’s participation
Young people’s empowerment
Supports the development of skills and confidence
Benefits young people, communities, services and wider society

4. Youth-led research training
How to write a research question
Data collection methods
Analysing data
How to present research
Ethical considerations

6. What is a research question? Why develop a research question?
A research question is the question you really want to find an answer to, on a topic that interests you. Your question should be clear and focused, if it’s too general it can be really difficult to answer.
Why develop a research question?
Narrow your focus
Manage your time
Keep motivated
Find answers

7. Different types of questions
Explore – exploring a topic, will provide new insights, ask further questions, raise awareness of something that might be happening.
Describe – this will give you an accurate description or understanding of people, events, situations or experiences.
Explain – about trying to find an explanation for a situation or problem, this often helps people to decide what are important factors in making something happen.

8. Example 1 Research Topic Female medics from Scotland in WW1
Research Questions
What role did female medics from Scotland play in WW1?
What impact did their role have on injured soldiers?
What happened to the female medics after the war?
What legacy did they leave?
Research Methods
Interviews and surveys, archive searches (newspapers, NLS, National Records)
Population
Local community, NHS, local GP surgeries
Sample
Local librarian, teachers, community members, NLS

9. Example 2 Research Topic
Elsie Inglis, founder of Scottish Women’s Hospitals
Research Questions
Who was Elsie Inglis?
What were the Scottish Women’s Hospital’s and why did Elsie Inglis establish them?
What impact did the hospitals have during WW1?
What legacy has Elsie Inglis left in Scotland today?
Research Methods
Interviews, surveys, photography, archive searches
Population
Community in Edinburgh
Sample
Local librarian, museums, community members, University of Edinburgh (where she studied), NHS

10. Example 3 Research Topic Impact of WW1 on women in my family
Research Questions
What role did the women in my family play in WW1?
How did their involvement in WW1 effect them?
What impact did their role have on the family?
How did their role in WW1 impact on my generation?
Research Methods
Questionnaires, interviews, archive searches, family photographs and letters
Population
Family members, family friends, local community
Sample
Family members, National Records of Scotland, NLS, community members