Research as
Geography
PROMPTS TO AID YOU DISCOVERING YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION
Important definitions:
Topic: A subject in which you are interested
Issue: A situation that has become the subject of discussion and
possibly disagreement
Question: The specific focus of our curiosity, confusion, and search for
knowledge
Objective:

On February 1, you must email to me an Inquiry Map.

Your Inquiry Map is:


A question relating to “America,” “The American Dream,” or “What
Americans value” that interests you and you would like to learn more
about.

A succinct but insightful statement about why you would like to pursue
that topic.
Today, you will use the writing process to discover a question
meaningful to you that will begin your research.
Write continuously about the
following questions for five minutes
each:
Question 1
What issues do you discuss most
with friends and family?
5
minutes
Question 2
In what issues do you feel most
emotionally involved? What issues,
when you discuss them, inspire
strong feelings?
5
minutes
Question 3
Is there an issue in your community
(where you live, however you
define that place) that is currently
having a major impact?
5
minutes
Question 4
If you have an intended career,
what do you think are the major
issues people in that field think
about?
5
minutes
Question 5
Are there issues of social justice
and human rights about which you
are passionate?
5
minutes
Question 6
Are there regional issues affecting
New Haven, Connecticut, or New
England that interest you?
5
minutes
Question 7
What national issues concern you?
5
minutes
5
Question 8
minutes
What international issues are
important to you?
Questions taken from Michael Stancliff and Maureen Daly
Goggin’s “Research as Creative Practice: Two Metaphors
for Teaching and Learning” English Journal, Nov. 2015