Reference no: EM133631553
Assignment
Narrowing Your Research Question
Find Context of Research
Before you get into your research questions describe the situation you are responding to fully. What is the problem that you see in our society that compels you to write about X? What is different in the world? What background information will we need to know? Did something happen in the news or in current events to spur this question? This is what we might call the context of your research question or the situation your essay responds to.
Be Specific about the "Who" "What" "When" and "Where" of your Research Question.
As you set up the situation, you might also need to consider important definitions, historical or social context, and a narrowing of your topic. For example rather than say "How has technology has affected people?" you might define what you mean by technology and narrow down the topic to a specific group; thus leaving you with: "How have video games have affected teenage boys in Southern States" or "How has social media affected Gen Z in last 10 years." As you can see, these are two completely different questions but both stem from the original. Its important to be specific.
Find Sub-questions
Make sure to have one big question (the one that will drive your essay) and have three or four smaller questions that will help you answer the big question. Such as this:
Have social media sites, such as Instagram and TikTok, changed the way couples relate to one another?
A. What are the ways people use their "relationship status" in posts?
B. What are the differences in a real relationship and the way that relationships is presented or showcased online?
C. Have social media sites forced us to change what we consider private?
D. Have social media sites changed the pressures of publicizing relationships?
Be Humble
For this essay you don't want to start off with the idea that you know everything and your opinion is what matters. Instead you want to approach this in a humble way. You want to engage in research questions with a genuine curiosity.