Write your Question
▶️Watch a Video Tutorial on choosing research questions.
Remember, your research question should:
- fit the requirements of the assignment (assignment length, type of argument, source type requirements)
- Be answered with evidence from information sources (not yes/no questions)
Identify your Question Concepts
Library search tools work best with main ideas represented by keywords rather than complete sentences. The four W questions can help you identify main ideas.
The W Questions
- Who: Who are you talking about?
- What: What is are they doing or is happening?
- Where: Where is your topic relevant?
- How: How is it happening?
- When: When was information on your topic created?
- Why: Why is your topic important?
Example Question
- Who & What: children development
- Where: United States
- How: water pollution
- When: Today (last 5 years)
- Why: public safety
Question Concepts Become Keywords
Use the answer to the W questions to choose keywords for your topic and put AND between them to search:
Child development AND united states AND water pollution AND safety
▶️ Watch a video to learn more
Go to Part II: Advanced Searching