What makes a good research question?
The best way to Focus Your Topic is to ask questions about it. Consider the five W's when trying to figure out what you want to research:
Who? Limit your topic to a specific person or group.
What? Limit your topic to a particular aspect of the topic or discipline.
Where? Limit your topic to a particular place or region.
When? Limit your topic to a particular period of time.
Why? Ask why the topic is important.
Remember you can limit your topic in more than one way. For example limit it to a "who" and a "what" or a "when" and a "where".
Mix and match the five Ws until you've created a Good Research Question.
Use these Library Resources to find background information on your topic. This will help you create and refine your research question.
Books can be Your Best Friend in Information Gathering!
Key Reference Books can be found on the Key Reference Shelf in the Library.
These volumes provide subject overviews and opposing viewpoints on certain aspects of dozens of controversial issues. Great place to see what kinds of questions are being discussed about a topic and how those questions are being answered.
Also make sure to search the Library catalog for relevant print books and Ebook Central for electronic books.
These Websites are Also Good Information Gathering Resources.
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