Hey, I'm in a bit of a bind. I'm trying to come up with a topic for my senior research project but I'm struggling. Do any of you have advice on how to come up with good, engaging research questions?
Sure, I can help you with that. When it comes to defining research questions, it helps to begin in a zone that piques your curiosity, or even better, something you're passionate about. Aim to tackle a problem or question that you think needs answering or to fill a gap in existing knowledge about that topic.
Once you have a topic idea, you can create a broad research question related to that topic. Then, narrow it down to be more specific and manageable. You also want to make sure that your research question is feasible for you to answer given your resources and time constraints.
For example, if you're passionate about environmental sustainability, your initial broad question might be, "How are current agricultural practices impacting climate change?" This is a vast topic, so to narrow it down, you might ask, "How do practices used in beef cattle production in the U.S. contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?"
Remember, a effective question usually isn't answerable with a simple "yes" or "no". Instead, it should be open-ended, encouraging thought and allowing for analysis and argument.
Finally, make sure your research question is significant. Why does it matter to answer this question? How does it contribute to the field or the wider world? Could it be used to inform policy, or does it challenge pre-existing notions about the subject?
I hope this helps! Good luck with your senior project. Feel free to share your draft research questions; I'd be happy to provide further feedback.
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