8.1 Research Questions and Topics

Notes

A research paper begins with a good research question: one that cannot be answered with a quick fact and that leads to a claim you can support.

• Move from a broad topic (social media) to a narrow focus (how social media use affects sleep in teenagers).
• A strong question is open-ended (how or why), arguable and researchable with available sources.
• Weak: "When was Walden published?" (one fact). Stronger: "How did Thoreau's ideas in Walden influence later protest movements?"
• Revise your question as you learn more. Your answer becomes your thesis.
• Worked example: "Social media is bad" is too broad; "Does limiting evening phone use improve sleep quality for high school students?" is focused.