Research project

feel free to choose any research u would like

Step 1: Read.

You should first read pages 484-485 in Chapter 21 of your textbook (starting from the section “Narrow Your Topic”). Use this section of the textbook to understand the work you’ve already done to gather background information and why it’s important to narrow your topic now. Pay particular attention to the examples of research questions provided by the book. You’re expected to offer a good research question in Step 2, so this section of the textbook will help you do that. I strongly recommend you watch the short video “Narrowing Your Topic”.

Then write a 75-word summary of the ideas that stuck with you most. How do you narrow a topic? Why should you narrow a topic?

Step 2: Progress Report and Questions

Write at least 100 words answering the questions below. Number your answers, and also start sentences so I can understand the question (Ex: “The topic I’ve been researching is…” )

1. What topic have you been exploring in this class?

Look at the example in the textbook where a broad general topic is narrowed down to something more focused. Using that as a guide, summarize how your topic progressed: What was your starting point? How has your topic become more specific over time?

2. Why does this topic matter?

What puzzle or problem lies at the heart of your topic? Use the Narrowing Your Topic video in the textbook to help you reflect. What makes this topic interesting to youand why might others care? Avoid vague answers like its a good school topic. Instead, consider current debates or questions youve encountered in your reading so far. For example, instead of “everyone should care about climate change,” you could reflect on how climate change affects your community.

3. What research question do you want to pursue in Unit 2?

Write at least one clear, open-ended question (with a question mark!) that your research will try to answer. You may write two questions if youre deciding between them.

Good research questions:

• Cant be answered with a single source or a quick fact.
• Invite exploration, multiple perspectives, and informed decision-making.
• Are often centered around problems and solutions.
• Example of a good research question: Should voters support the proposed changes to county bus routes?
• Bad examples: What are the current bus routes? (too narrow) or Are U.S. bus systems efficient? (too broad)

4. Who is your audience?

Identify one specific group that would care about your research question and explain why. Do not say everyone.

Examples:

• If researching the effects of COVID-19 on unborn babies, the audience could be pregnant women or obstetricians.
• If researching tone indicators online, the audience could be social media users.

5. What do you already know about this topic?

Based on your reading and research so far, what possible answers or perspectives have emerged? If you had to answer your research question today, what information do you have that points you to the answer?

6. What do you still need to find out?

List at least five questions youll need to answer in the next few weeks in order to fully answer your research question. These questions should:

• Help you build knowledge (What facts or background do I need to understand this issue?)
• Help you think critically (What complexities or opposing views should I consider?)

If youre struggling to come up with meaningful questions, that may be a sign that your research question needs refining.