week2powerpoint
TRANSCRIPT
Research and Information
LiteracyCreating the Research Question
Professor Michael Kahn
Gill Library The College of New Rochelle
(718) 683-2500 extension [email protected]
Based on a PowerPoint created by Professor Susan Acampora, Librarian, The College of New Rochelle
Getting Started:
Finding a Topic Asking a Research Question
Today’s lesson is about creating an effective research question.
By the end of today’s lesson you will be able to answer the following question:
What are the steps that we should take to create an effective research question?
1. Pick a Topic1. CREDO, Opposing Viewpoints
2. Focus Your Topic (Not Too Narrow or Broad)1. Obtain Background Information2. Reference Sources, Concept Mapping (CREDO,
Gale Academic OneFile)3. Create a Scholarly Research Question
1. Data As Tool Not Data As Goal2. Effective Vs. Ineffective Research Questions
Very Simple Steps To Writing a Research Question
Something in the news? A personal or professional experience Something you have always wanted to
know more about
We have databases can supply you with topic ideas
CREDO, Gale Academic OneFile, Opposing Viewpoints, ProQuest Research
Pick A Topic
Find out more about your topic: Starting places: Google Wikipedia Blogs News Magazines Conversations TV anywhere and everywhere. EXPLORE!
Pick A Topic
Encyclopedias Gale Virtual Reference Library
Badke page 35 mentions some free online other encyclopedias
Useful Databases and Websites for Background Information
Example of how someone developed a
research interest
For example:
“Norman…while watching news reports of the Iraq War, noticed dry and barren land, yet history had taught him that this land between the Tigress and the Euphrates rivers was formerly a land of fruit and honey….What happened to it?
Norman’s interest = water - or - the world’s water supply
Excerpted from Lester and Lester. Writing Research Papers. Page 10
Browsing in National Geographic or online Norman finds an article He learns from the article above:Satellite technology shows:
Over the last 40 years 30 + large dams have been built Reduce available water Eliminate nourishing floodwaters Resulting in damage to the marshlands and
devastation to wildlife And reducing the water supply to the
residents This ancient land is not what is once was!
He also learns that:
1.Before satellites it was up to individual countries whether or not to assess and report environmental damage
2.With Satellite technology now all nations can see what is going on 3. “Everyone has a clearer and more accessible picture on environmental damage.
Norman’s questions have multipliedHis topic has expanded to include many considerations
1.The ethics the world’s distribution of water 2.The history of the global water shortage3.The global water crisis4.The environmental implications of progress 5.The impact of global water crisis on
individuals and communities6.The impact of water distribution on the poor
Scholarly Focus
Norman started with an interest in WaterHe chooses the scholarly focus on:Water Distribution and Shortage as the Next Global Environmental Crisis
Opposing Viewpoints in Context Academic One File Credo Wikipedia Google Search Keyword
Use Tools to Find and develop ideas
After perusing popular sites and articles consult an academic source such as:
CREDO Reference Search under your topic for a general overview Ask questions about the research Read and begin to develop your ideas into a
draft thesis statement
Next Step-Choose a Subtopic
CNR Databases
Opposing Viewpoints
Gale Academic OneFileTerm Clusters
CREDO MindMap
Meditation and Stress Reduction Who-veterans with PTSD What-mindfulness meditation When-The last five years-returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan Where-in the United States Why-How can mindfulness meditation be used
to reduce stress among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan?
Next Step-Focus Your Topic (Not Too Narrow or Too Broad)
Research Question should NOT be a factual question
It should be either a Problem solving question Compare and contrast question Evaluative question
Finally, Write a Research Question
Example: What happened on 9/11? Why did Bin Laden attack the US?
Not a Factual QuestionThere is no point in re-describing what has already been
described-Badke, 36
How can the United States be better prepared so that another 9/11 like terrorist attacks doesn’t happen?
Problem Solving Question
What are the major differences between the Taliban and ISIS?
Compare and Contrast Question
How successful has the US been in fighting foreign terrorism?
Evaluative Question
Check the See Also Section And References
WikiPedia
Session 2 Video on Concept Mapping
Exploding an Idea through Concept Mapping
Data as Goal Vs.
Data as ToolBadke, 25-30
What is Research
2-1
Unfortunately, this is what passes for a research model among many students
2-2
Climate Change Find out everything you know about climate
change explain it all in a paper Example: Provide a general overview of what climate
change is.
Data as Goal Example
Climate Change Read basic data on climate change Discover an issue related to climate change such as Climate change is a natural phenomenon rather
than something created by greedy human beings Ask a question like: How convincing is the scientific support for climate
change as a natural phenomenon as opposed to being primarily the result of human activity?
Data as Tool Example
2-4
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The question that isn’t there The fuzzy question-Why was Saddam Hussein the way he was? The multi-part question-Why did the financial meltdown of
2008 happen? Should people have foreseen it? Were the government measures to solve it the right ones to use? How can we prevent such future meltdowns?
The open ended question-What were the implications of the end of WW II?
The question that won’t fly-data will simple not answer it. Is todays generation smarter than the previous one because it knows how to text?
Badke’s 4 Types of Research Questions To Avoid (38-39)
Pick a topic based related to the Social Sciences Personal interest Recent News Conversations in person or through a social network A subject covered in another class Something you have always wanted to know about
Develop a question that is either Problem solving Compare and Contrast Evaluative And seeks Data as Tool NOT data as Goal
Write a Thesis Statement
Your Turn
Online Assignment: Topics and Terms Complete ProQuest Research Companion
Module 02: How do I choose a topic? http://pqrc.proquest.com/ and write a one page essay describing what you learned
Complete the ProQuest Research Companion Module 06: How do I write a thesis statement? http://pqrc.proquest.com/ and write a one page essay describing what you learned
Read Badke: Chapter 2: Taking Charge pp: 22- 47 and answer questions 1, 2, 3, 4,6 and 9 on pages 45-46
Homework