Where research begins.
WHY IT MATTERS
An unclear question produces unfocused work and no conclusion.
WHAT A GOOD QUESTION IS
Specific Answerable with available evidence Narrow enough to address properly Worth answering
WHAT A POOR QUESTION IS
Too broad to answer Answerable only with yes or no Already settled Dependent on evidence you cannot obtain
HOW TO NARROW ONE
Add constraints: a population, a period, a place, a specific aspect.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
What has already been written on it What gap remains
WHY
Research that repeats existing work without knowing it wastes effort.
WHAT TO WRITE DOWN
The question, in one sentence.
WHY ONE SENTENCE
If it cannot be stated in one, it is probably several questions.
WHAT TO DO IF IT IS SEVERAL
Choose one, or state a main question with sub-questions.
WHAT TO REVISIT
The question, as you learn more.
WHAT TO AVOID
Changing it silently as you go, so the work no longer answers anything.
