Moving from a Topic to a Question to a Working Hypothesis
CHAPTER 2 Moving from a Topic to a Question to a Working Hypothesis
2.1 Find a Question in Your Topic 2.1.1 Search Your Interests 2.1.2 Make Your Topic Manageable 2.1.3 Question Your Topic 2.1.4 Evaluate Your Questions
2.2 Propose Some Working Answers 2.2.1 Decide on a Working Hypothesis 2.2.2 Beware the Risks in a Working Hypothesis 2.2.3 If You Can’t Find an Answer, Argue for Your Question
One of the most difficult steps in beginning a research paper can be choosing a topic. A researcher will be spending a bit of time on his/her thesis, so it is highly important for the researcher to choose a topic that will sustain his/her interest.
There are five general goals in the research process that must be followed. They are:
Ask a question worth answering.
Find an answer that you can support with good reasons.
Find reliable evidence to support your reasons.
Draft a report that makes a good case for your answer.
Revise that draft until readers will think you met the first four goals.
2.1 Find a Question in Your Topic
Researchers begin their projects in different ways. Many experienced ones begin with a question that others in their field want to answer. Others just want to satisfy their curiosity. Ultimately, it is one that helps them understand some larger issue.
The most successful research topics are narrowly focused and carefully defined, but are important parts of a broad ranging, complex problem.
2.1.1 Search Your Interests
One of the most basic yet valuable skills that you can have, as a researcher, is knowing how to choose the right topic.
Coming out with a topic means clarifying two things: what questions are of interest to you, and what you think about those questions. Generating your own topic requires you to articulate your personal viewpoint about a question. Brainstorming can also help. Talking about the subject with your professor or classmates may lead to new ideas and help
2.1 Find a Question in Your Topic 2.1.1 Search Your Interests 2.1.2 Make Your Topic Manageable 2.1.3 Question Your Topic 2.1.4 Evaluate Your Questions
2.2 Propose Some Working Answers 2.2.1 Decide on a Working Hypothesis 2.2.2 Beware the Risks in a Working Hypothesis 2.2.3 If You Can’t Find an Answer, Argue for Your Question
One of the most difficult steps in beginning a research paper can be choosing a topic. A researcher will be spending a bit of time on his/her thesis, so it is highly important for the researcher to choose a topic that will sustain his/her interest.
There are five general goals in the research process that must be followed. They are:
Ask a question worth answering.
Find an answer that you can support with good reasons.
Find reliable evidence to support your reasons.
Draft a report that makes a good case for your answer.
Revise that draft until readers will think you met the first four goals.
2.1 Find a Question in Your Topic
Researchers begin their projects in different ways. Many experienced ones begin with a question that others in their field want to answer. Others just want to satisfy their curiosity. Ultimately, it is one that helps them understand some larger issue.
The most successful research topics are narrowly focused and carefully defined, but are important parts of a broad ranging, complex problem.
2.1.1 Search Your Interests
One of the most basic yet valuable skills that you can have, as a researcher, is knowing how to choose the right topic.
Coming out with a topic means clarifying two things: what questions are of interest to you, and what you think about those questions. Generating your own topic requires you to articulate your personal viewpoint about a question. Brainstorming can also help. Talking about the subject with your professor or classmates may lead to new ideas and help
References: A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate Turabian pages 12-20 http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic815867.files/From%20Interest%20to%20Question.pdf www.library.edu/ugl/howdoi/topic.html https://www.boundless.com/writing/paper-execution/planning-your-topic/propose-a-working-hypothesis/ https://www.boundless.com/writing/paper-execution/planning-your-topic http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/cluster.html