Research starts with a topic you have narrowed and sources you can trust. The next step is a research question: a focused question that several good sources together can answer.
| Too broad | A fact to look up | A research question |
|---|---|---|
| Oceans | How deep is the Pacific Ocean? | How does plastic in the ocean affect sea turtles? |
| Sleep | How many hours do teens sleep? | How does screen time before bed affect how teens sleep? |
| Bridges | When was the Golden Gate Bridge built? | Why are some bridges built as suspension bridges and others as arch bridges? |
Key idea
A good research question is focused, can’t be answered with one fact, and needs several sources to answer well. Take notes that record where each idea came from.
Why it works
A question gives research a direction: you know what to look for and when you have enough. A one-fact question ends with one search; a good research question leads you to compare sources, which is where real understanding begins.
Worked example: Sharpen the question
Improve: “What about recycling?”
- Too vague: what about it?
- Narrow to one part and ask how or why.
- Make sure several sources could help answer it.
Answer: “Why do some towns stop recycling glass, and what happens to the glass instead?”
Worked example: A note that keeps its source
What should a research note include?
- The idea, in your own words, or the exact words in quotation marks.
- The source: author and title, or a short label that matches your source list.
- The page or section.
Answer: “Glass is heavy, so shipping it far costs more than it earns (Liu, ‘Glass’ 4).”
Common mistake
Searching for one fact instead of asking a question that needs several sources to answer. Check: could one search result answer it in a sentence? If so, ask how or why about it.
- Write the question at the top of your notes.
- Find three or more reliable sources.
- Note each idea with its source and page.
- Revise the question if your research shows a better one.