Research Questions and

Subquestions

Research Questions
Over arching umbrella questions that
address your topic.
Include KEY TERMS that you can use to
help you research your topic.
Generally, research questions are
questions you do not know the answer to.
The idea is you are using your research to
gain new knowledge.

Research Questions Contd

Research Questions should be Well
Grounded.
Well Grounded means that they are
searchable questions, that include Key
Terms, you can enter into a search engine
that will help guide your research.
Well Grounded are not too narrow, too
broad, nor too challenging.

Example of a Good Research

Question
Topic: Physical Education in the Schools
Research Question: What are the health
benefits of physical education in
elementary, middle school, and high
school in public education?

Practice
Aim: How will a research question guide
your research?
Do Now: Describe 2-3 characteristics of a
good research topic. Explain your answer
in one additional sentence

Based on Your Answer

What makes a good research project?
Share your answer with your friend sitting
next to you

What makes a good research

project?
Share out ideas you heard from friends
sitting next to you.

Example: Saras idea was. I dis/agree

because

Answer
Good research projects are guided by an
engaging research question.
A research question addresses an issue,
problem or controversy. It cannot be
answered by a single fact or source.

Problem Questions

Too Narrow:
Does Sweden have a nationalized health care system?
When did D-Day begin during WWII?
These questions have a Yes or No answer, or can be answered
by a one word answer.

Too Broad: What is the history of Christianity?

This question cannot be covered in the scope of an essay.

Too Challenging: Why is hip hop dancing so raunchy?

This question is too opinionated and is based upon peoples feeling
rather than research.

Practice
Consider a broad topic
Narrow the topic by focusing on a specific aspect
Write 3-4 open-ended questions about the
specific aspect
Select the most engaging question
Example: The Progressive Era. Womens
suffrage Movement. How did women struggle for
the right to vote?

Subquestions

Subquestions are narrower questions that answer research

questions.

Example:
Research Question: What are the health benefits of physical education
in elementary, middle school, and high school in public education?
Subquestions:
1. What are the standards for physical education in Washington
State?
2. Is there a difference between the amount time devoted to physical
education in elementary, middle school, or high school?
3. Does physical education emphasize a certain type of exercise?

Your task
1. Develop a research question that
answers a broad question on your topic.
2. Create three subquestions that will help
you answer your research question.
3. Use your research question and
subquestions to guide your research.

Home Practice
Topic: research topic
Write the topic that you have finally
chosen to do your paper on.
Explain in 2-3 sentences why you chose
the topic.
Be prepared to share your explanation in
class.