I'm working on a research paper for this whole unit in English, the first task is to form research questions. But how do I do that? Is it supposed to be in a MLA format/paragraph type? Do I just list the research questions like I would when I'm doing a shopping list- with bullets next to them in a not complete sentences?
First of all, here's an excellent online resource for MLA guidelines, including paper format and how to do in-text and bibliography (Works Cited) citations:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
For research questions, I would start with a topic and then list all the questions I could think of regarding that topic. In this process, you might alter your topic or narrow it down. Then you might end up editing your research questions, too.
I'd list my finalized list of research questions (and yes you can use a bulleted list), but phrase them in complete interrogative sentences..
http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS705US707&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how+to+write+research+questions
Thank you.
A Research Question is a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied. For example, “What resources are helpful to new and minority drug abuse researchers?”
To develop a strong research question from your ideas, you should ask yourself these things:
Do I know the field and its literature well? What are the important research questions in my field? What areas need further exploration? In case you read till the end, I want to inform you that there you may also have your task done if you go to the site I use. Check Prime-Writing.
Formulating research questions is an essential step in conducting a research paper. While there is no specific format like MLA for research questions, it is important to ensure they are clear, focused, and open-ended. Here's a step-by-step process to help you generate research questions for your English research paper:
1. Understand the Purpose: Consider the aim of your research paper. Are you trying to explore a specific topic, analyze a literary work, compare different perspectives, or evaluate the impact of specific factors? Understanding the purpose will help you narrow down your focus.
2. Brainstorm Ideas: Start by brainstorming ideas related to your topic. Think about aspects that interest you or aspects you want to explore further. Write down any potential research questions that come to mind without worrying about the format at this stage.
3. Narrow Down the Focus: Review the ideas you generated in the previous step and identify the most relevant and promising ones. Consider the scope of your research paper and try to narrow down your focus to a manageable and specific research question or set of questions.
4. Phrase the Questions: Once you have identified your research question(s), it's time to phrase them in a way that is clear and concise. It is generally better to use complete sentences rather than bullet points, as it helps to articulate your thoughts more effectively.
5. Make them Open-Ended: Ensure your research questions are open-ended rather than ones that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no". Open-ended questions encourage critical thinking and provide opportunities for in-depth exploration of the topic.
6. Revise and Refine: Review your research questions to ensure they are focused, relevant, and align with your research objectives. If needed, revise or refine them to make them clearer and more specific.
Remember, research questions are meant to guide your research and provide a framework for your paper. They should be well-defined and help you maintain focus throughout the writing process.