This document provides guidance on how to develop a research question for an academic topic. It recommends beginning with a broad topic, then narrowing it by adding questions about who, what, where, when, why or how. Specifically defining the question helps avoid biases. The steps are to: 1) state your topic, 2) add a question about the topic, and 3) motivate your question by explaining why you want to know the answer. Lastly, defining the research topic with objective data like a clearly defined question helps ensure an unbiased approach.

1. By: Claire LaPolt & Faisal
Ansari
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it
is the illusion of knowledge.” --Stephen Hawking

3. -To gather information to answer a
question that solves a problem.
-Research is a solution to solving practical
problems.

5. When beginning the information-seeking
process:
1) What do I know?
2) What do I need to know?
3) How will I find out?

6. Step 1: State your Topic: I am trying to learn about
______________.
Step 2: Add a Question: I am studying X because I want to find
out who/what/where/when/why/how ___________________.
Step 3: Motivate your Question: I am studying LC subject
headings because I want to find out how controlled
vocabularies work.

7. Increasing Specificity (i.e. Narrowing Your Topic!)
Topic: “Abortion” -- Meaningful topic or Meaningless
topic?
Areas of Inquiry– Name 2 distinct areas of inquiry
surrounding the topic of abortion.
Example: religion, Roe vs. Wade

8. Using this next diagram, YOU will learn to
develop a research question that is open-ended
and gives meaning to the topic you will be
researching.

10. Lastly- Remember that we can easily slip into biases and assumptions while
Researching and choosing a topic. I.E. “Steroids being synonymous with all
American sports. For that reason we suggest that you define your research topic
With objective data such as clearly defining your question.
For example:
Topic= Pregnancy
Who- Women between 18-45
What= Pregnancy and smoking cessation amongst women between 18-45
And there you are !

11. Sources: Burkhardt, J. M.,
MacDonald, M. C., & Rathemacher,
A. J. (2010). Teaching information
literacy: 50 standards-based
exercises for college students.
Chicago: American Library
Association.