Exercise 1: Can the Topic Be Researched?
Below are five exercises designed to improve your ability to select a good research question.
Think about whether the question would make a good research question, then click for feedback.
This question is researchable. You'd have to sift through a lot of information, both pro and con, valid and invalid, in order to choose the best information to answer the research question and support your own point of view, but the point is that there is at least enough information to sift through.
This question is somewhat researchable. There have been some recent experiments dealing with the physical (genetic) basis of sexual preference, but not enough research to support a credible view one way or the other.
This question is not researchable. As worded, it has no concrete meaning. What does "better" mean? Better in terms of nutrition? Better-tasting? Better value? Fewer calories? Better for making your kids happy? This question could become researchable only if you define the terms.
This question is researchable. You'd have to sift through a lot of information, both pro and con, valid and invalid, in order to choose the best information to answer the research question and support your own point of view, but the point is that there is at least enough information to sift through. "Certain cases" would need to be clearly defined with scientific limits depending upon the intended audience.
This question is researchable. You'd have to sift through a lot of information, both pro and con, valid and invalid, in order to choose the best information to answer the research question and support your own point of view, but the point is that there is at least enough information to sift through.