RESEARCH QUESTION WORKSHEET Hello there, young reSSCher! I am Teacher Kath! The table below illustrates how a research question develops from a broad topic to a focused question. Follow the four examples down the columns to see how the questions develop. Then use the blank form to develop your own research question. TOPIC What topic are you interested in? Do some background research to find out more about it. SUBTOPIC What specific part of the topic are you interested in? Break down topic and group ideas in clusters (use reverse). Pick one cluster or part of one. ISSUE OR PROBLEM What specific problems do you find about the topic that you are interested in? RESEARCH QUESTION List a few possible questions about your specific topic area. Make your question as clear and specific as possible. Specify what you mean for all general words. Environment Global warming Abnormal increase in air temperature What measures can be done to prevent global warming? Health Insect infestation Uncontrollable infestation of Aedes aegypti at home What is the effectiveness of dried carabao manure with calamansi extract as an alternative insecticide? Environment Garbage Disposal Resistance of plastic from biodegradability What is the feasibility of milk as material in bioplastic production? Agriculture Plant Fertilizer Alternative way to increase plant What is the effect of the use of yield using cheap fertilizer human urine as fertilizer on the growth of tomato plant? Now it’s your turn to try, young reSSCher! Think of three topics that you want as focus of your science investigatory project. Make sure that your topic is related to science and can be explored within one to two months. You can refer to the table in the previous page as your guide/ example. This activity will be rated using the QUESTIO-METER that you can find in the next page. TOPIC What topic are you interested in? Do some background research to find out more about it. SUBTOPIC What specific part of the topic are you interested in? Break down topic and group ideas in clusters (use reverse). Pick one cluster or part of one. ISSUE OR PROBLEM What specific problems do you find about the topic that you are interested in? RESEARCH QUESTION List a few possible questions about your specific topic area. Make your question as clear and specific as possible. Specify what you mean for all general words. QUESTION-METER Good job! You’re one step ahead in your SIP journey! Remember that the questions that you have developed will be rated using the criteria below. RESEARCH QUESTION CRITERIA The answer is not immediately obvious There could be more than one answer—the answer is just not yes or no Encourages a new or different view of the phenomena Narrow in focus so that the research can be done Clear enough for other people to understand Tests an accepted explanation Completes or adapts an existing explanation Goes beyond existing explanation Possible to answer in the time available to you (answer can be obtained within one to two months) Possible to answer with measurement equipment and techniques available to you Any data required from others is available or can be obtained through collaboration Will sustain your interest for the time required to complete the research Test your assumptions about the phenomenon POINTS (0 OR 1)