Picking+a+good+research+question

Research Questions

In order to get a good grade on your individual reports in Global Perspectives it is essential that you have a good research question.

What makes a good research question? It must have the following properties:


 * Allow you to examine an issue from global, national and personal perspectives
 * Be specific enough that you can treat the question within the word limit
 * Allow for personal reflection on the topic

Let’s look at some examples. Imagine you are working on a general topic of water and food. The following research questions are suggested:


 * 1) Water all around us
 * 2) What are the causes of pollution in Indonesia’s waterways?
 * 3) What roles do individuals and organizations have in preserving our water resources?

The first suggestion is at an ‘E’ level. First of all, it is not a question! It is also too broad in scope. You could end up with a disorganized collection of facts and reflections about water that has no focus.

The second suggestion is at a ‘C’ or possibly ‘B’ level. It is a question and is appropriate in scope but does not lend itself to good treatment from a global or personal perspective. It is a straightforward question that does not invite reflection and the question itself excludes all countries but Indonesia. A clever student could work in a personal perspective and get a ‘B’ out of this research question but as it stands it is really a ‘C’ level question.

The third suggestion is at an ‘A’ level. It is a question and the scope is limited enough that it provides focus to the project. It is easily treated from a global, national and personal perspective. It also allows for easy personal reflection. E.g. What is my role in preserving water resources?

Practice: For each of the research questions below decide whether or not it is a good research question. If it is not a good research question, change it to make it a good one. The general topic is sports


 *  Does steroid use make your muscles bigger?
 *  Do sports have a role to play in creating peace?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> How are health and education connected?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> The Olympics!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> What role do games and sports play in defining a culture?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> What importance should Indonesia give to improving sports facilities?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> Should Phys. Ed. be mandatory for IGCSE students at BIS?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Exercise: For each topic think of a good research question


 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Topic || <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Research Question  ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Religion and Belief ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Trade and Aid ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Transport and Infrastructure ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Urbanisation ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Employment ||  ||

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