Research Process: Research Question

A research question is the question around which you center your research. To create a research question, please follow the steps below:

1. Start with a broad idea or topic of interest. For instance, if you're interested in environmental issues, you could start with a broad topic like 'climate change' or 'sustainable energy '. Remember, the research process will be less enjoyable if you are not interested in the subject. 
2. Complete initial research in the library databases or on a site like Google Scholar to ensure the availability of materials. 
3. After reviewing available materials, narrow your topic's scope by identifying specific aspects or questions that interest you the most. This will help you focus your research and make it more manageable. 
4. Carefully evaluate your material. You'll be able to learn more about this necessary process in our Evaluating Sources guide. 
5. Construct your research question carefully. There are several ways to construct the question, including the PICOT and PEO methods.