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Research Questions

This guide is the workshop support for Research Questions.

Practice! Together we'll look at some background sources and try to draft research questions that are "just right".

Your Research Assignment:

Write an analytical essay on a current event affecting women. It can be a political or cultural event, happening now or within the last 12 months.

  • Final essay must be 5-6 pages (not including your Works Cited list).
  • Must include a minimum of 3 sources from the GCC Library, one of which is a peer-reviewed journal article.
  • Use MLA style to cite all sources.
  • Due date: 5 weeks from now.

Your Group Task

You will create a research question with your group using one of these research tools:

CREDO REFERENCE Encyclopedia Database

Artificial Intelligence Tool (choose one):

In Credo Reference, use these suggested keywords to get started:

  • "sexism" or "women's issues" or "women AND _______" [fill-in-the-blank with a sub-topic such as "jobs," "health," "music," etc.]
  • women's history

Remember that Research Questions should be:

research questions description

Not too narrow

  • The question can't be answered with a simple statistical fact
  • The answer can't be written about in less than 1 page
  • There are enough credible sources already published on the topic--including at least one peer-reviewed article (required by our assignment guidelines!)

JUST RIGHT

  • Requires a reasonable amount of research to consider the questions. This means more than basic facts.
  • The question also fits the assignment prompt; it can be written about successfully before the due date; it has enough library resources available (articles from databases or library books).
  • Ask a question that requires multiple viewpoints be considered. These questions often start with with the words "How" or "Why"
  • Make the question personally interesting! Connect the topic to a hobby, your career goal, or a person you admire

Not too broad

  • There's too much information published on the topic for one person to review
  • There are too many aspects of the topic to successfully cover in a college essay
  • People write entire books trying to answer the question! 

Need Help Finding a Topic? Check Out These Databases and Tools

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