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Getting Started with Research at Shapiro Library

This guide discusses understanding information sources, formulating a topic and search phrase, where and how to search the library for information, how to evaluate sources, how to cite sources, and more.

What is a Research Question?

A research question addresses the problem or issue you want to explore. It serves as a roadmap for your research, shaping your methodology and helping you organize your thoughts. The goal of your research is to answer your research question. What do you want to know about a topic?  As you are drafting your research question, think about the following:

  • Is your research question clear? Can someone understand its purpose without needing additional explanation? 
  • Is your research question focused? Is your research question focused on a single problem or issue?  Is the question specific enough to fit the assignment requirements?
  • Is your research question complex? A good research question is typically open-ended, meaning it can’t be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Instead, it encourages exploration and analysis, leading to new insights or findings. These questions often start with “How” or “Why.”
  • Is your research question researchable? Consider whether it can be answered through available resources and data. Is the research question feasible given the time constraints, assignment requirements, and access to resources?

Example:

Topic

social media and mental health

Research Question

How are teenagers experiencing mental health challenges as a result of using social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram?

 
Acknowledgment:
Adapted from: George Mason University Writing Center. (2008). How to write a research question. Retrieved from http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/?p=307