I-SearchI-Search

Developing Research Questions

Ideas adapted from: Jamie McKenzie & www.fno.org

•The best research questions require problem-solving or decision-making.

•Think of I-Search as an “investigation,” not a report.

How do I write good research questions?

How do I write good research questions?

ExamplesExamples

Topic: Barbie

OK: Where did Barbie come from?

Better: Why did Barbie become popular?

Best: What contributes to Barbie’s long-term success as the best selling toy?

ExamplesExamples

Topic: Fast Food

OK: What fast food restaurants are there?

Better: Which is the best fast food restaurant and why?

Best:

Question DevelopmentQuestion Development

You

could

create

a

web!

Question DevelopmentQuestion Development

Or you

could

create a

question

outline!

What contributes to Barbie’s long-term success as the best selling toy?

• How has Barbie changed over time?

~ What jobs has she embodied?

~ How is Barbie marketed?

~ What makes her universally relevant?

• What gives Barbie idealistic appeal?

~ How does she inspire people?

I-Search Research QuestionsI-Search Research Questions

1) Create a question web or question outline. Create one OVER-ARCHING or “big idea” question that can guide your whole essay. Make sure it’s ARGUABLE or DISCUSSABLE.

2)Then, create at least 4 related questions that can later become claims. Each of these questions will probably lead to smaller sub-questions.