Formulating a Good Research Question
(Use this with the “Research Question Flowchart”)
Before you begin, watch the Module 2 Lecture video.
Here is a step-by-step guide to formulating a good research question for LIBS 110.:
1) Identify a topic that interests you
2) Brainstorm ways to relate it to Information Literacy
3) Pick a population it affects
4) Identify a measurable impact or time span
5) Be sure to avoid biased / yes or no questions / list answers (examples below)
My Example (you may NOT use this example):
1) TOPIC OF INTEREST: Animal dissections in high school Biology classes
2) INFORMATION LITERACY: Virtual programs, online resources, dissection simulations
3) POPULATION: High school Biology students or classes
4) MEASUREABLE IMPACT: Science assessment scores
General Templates. Just plug in your categories!
A. (Effect) How does (TOPIC/INFORMATION LITERACY) affect the (MEASUREABLE IMPACT) of (POPULATION)?
Example: How does the use of dissection simulation programs affect the assessment scores of high school biology students?
B. (Comparison) How does (MEASUREABLE IMPACT*) of (POPULATION*) relate when (COMPARISON 1*) compares to (COMPARISON 2*)? *one component must be tied to Information Literacy
Example: How do the science assessment scores of high school Biology students using dissection simulations* compare to those conducting actual dissection?
C. (Historical) How has (TOPIC/INFORMATION LITERACY) affected/changed (POPULATION) over (TIME SPAN) years?
Example: How has virtual dissection simulation changed the landscape of high school biology classes over the last 20 years?
Avoid these pit-falls:
TOO BROAD: How does technology influence high school biology students?
TOO NARROW: How has the development of virtual dissection affected the fetal pig sales over the past 10 years?
YES/NO: Are there online alternatives to animal dissection?
LIST: What are the alternatives to animal dissections?
BIASED: How can teachers end the cruel practice of dissecting animals?