Formulate your Research
Question
- WHAT IS A RESEARCH QUESTION (RQ)
The IB requires that all research questions are phrased as actual questions. In order to communicate the relevance, pertinence and focus of your research question to your reader (the examiner), it is recommended that you phrase your question effectively. In other words, the wording of your question matters. It sets expectations and captures the essence of your research. So which words should you include, and which phrases are better to avoid?
USEFUL PHRASES FOR YOUR RQ
- To what extent/degree
- How effective is...
- How have the decisions of... affected...
- What is the role and significance of...
- What is the best / cheapest / quickest method for....
- In light of... how can one understand...
- What has been the influence of... on...
PHRASES TO AVOID IN YOUR RQ
- Can you prove...
- Is... to blame for...
- Are we better off without...
- What if everyone were to...
- Could....possibly be the most....
- Is it true that...
- What is the history of...
- Clear: Will the examiner understand the nature of my research?
- Focused: Will the research question be specific enough?
- Arguable: Does the research question allow for analysis, evaluation and the development of an reason argument?
TIPS
- Avoid questions that can be answered with 'yes' or 'no'.
- Avoid inaccuracies, such as 'very long' or 'far away'.
- Avoid poorly defined pronouns such as 'you' or 'we'.
- Avoid sweeping generalisations, such as 'since the dawn of man'.
- Avoid weasel words, such as 'some people say...'
- Avoid questions that cannot be answered - or at least, argued.