DEVELOPING RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. To conduct research effectively, you need to know what you know and what you don’t know
about the topic. First, develop basic knowledge about your topic. Read the articles from SIRS.
Save them in OneNote and add the citations to NoodleTools. Highlight and take notes in
OneNote.
Then, answer these questions about your topic so you can conduct focused research on your topic:
2. State your topic: Cell Phones in Schools
3. State your viewpoint:
Cell phones are a valuable tool to students because they help them access
information, provides a layer of protection, and teaches them how to use technology
correctly.
4. Answer the following questions to help identify the problem:
a. What are the main controversies associated with the issue?
Students could potentially cheat using their cell phones.
Students will be distracted from their learning if they can have cell phones.
b. What significant events have occurred related to this issue?
Schools have banned the use of cell phones in schools.
Assemblies have been held to address the cellphone issue.
Consequences have been put in place to punish those who use their cell phones.
5. Answer the following questions to identify the population:
a. Who is affected by the issue?
Students and teachers
b. Who are the key figures and organizations surrounding this issue?
Schools, school board, department of education, teachers, principals,
students, parents.
6. Answer the following questions to identify the place the issue affects:
a. Is this topic personal, local, national, or international in scope?
b. Does this issue affect you personally?
c. Does this issue affect someone you know?
d. Does this issue affect my community?
e. Does this issue affect other communities in the U.S?
Use your problem, population, and place to complete the following research questions:
What are some ways that the problem of _______________ among ________________ in
(problem)
(population)
__________________ can be addresses?
(place)
How might _____________ affect ______________ in ______________?
(problem)
(population)
(place)
What changes should be made to _________________ in ___________? If these changes are made, how
(problem)
(place)
might that impact ________________?
(population)
Write your own research question(s) for your topic:
Now go back to the databases or Advanced Google Search. Use different databases this time, not SIRS.
Use combinations of words and phrases to narrow your search. Add any new sources to Noodletools
and save the articles in OneNote.
Adapted from “SIRS Issue Researcher: Research Guide for the Critical Thinker” and
“The Three P’s: Population, Place, Problem”