Library Research Guide: Crescent Libraries: Research Questions

There are no specific way to propose a research question. What you will be writing about may affect the style and scope of your proposal. However, good research questions do have comment elements. When you're developing your research question, remember the acronym CARES:

Clarity: The question should be focused, concise, and have a clear statement of what the writer intends to do or answer.

Analysis: The question should be something that can be analyzed rather than simply described; no research question should have a yes or no answer or be a summary of facts.

Research: The question should be able to be researched adequately and using quality materials such as scholarly articles or academic books.

Ease: The question should not be too easy nor too difficult; consider the time, resources, and word allotment when deciding on your question.

Scope: The question should not be too broad nor too narrow; consider the time, resources, and word allotment when deciding on your question.

1. Determine the requirements and parameters of your assignment. Consider the purpose: will you be evaluating data? Defending a viewpoint? Testing a hypothesis? 
2. Choose your topic. As previously mentioned in the Research Process portion of this guide, try and choose something you're interested in. This will help you be more motivated to spend time on your assignment and produce a more interesting, engaged reading experience.
3. Do some preliminary research. This will help you ensure that you have enough credible sources that relate to your research question; it is not intended for you to begin your research in earnest yet. If you aren't finding enough information, consider refining your topic or approaching it from a different angle.
4. Finalize your topic and apply the CARES acronym to make sure it hits each important part of a research question.