Responses to Text-Based Research Questions

Responses to Text-Based Research Questions

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1.     What specifically do you want to learn about a particular phenomenon? In other words, “What is interesting about the Denver music scene” is not a specific question. However, “How has the research and practice of music theory evolved in Colorado?” asks a specific question.

2.     Ask questions that are more open-ended and that are not loaded. For example, “Is legalizing needle exchange programs detrimental to Denver?” only offers two potential answers: “yes” or “no”.

3.     Further, the question might feel “loaded” in that your reader might think that you already have an answer and you are merely trying to find data to support your answer.

4.     A research question that shows that you are an open researcher would look like the following: “What potential impacts of a needle exchange program in Denver should residents consider before voting on the measure?” This question demonstrates that you know this question is likely a complicated one that may resist an easy answer.

5.     However, the question also allows you to pick a position and defend it. This is important to consider as this paper asks you to argue for a position. Remember that you can make your case stronger if you demonstrate that you understand the positions of conflicting points of view surrounding the issue.