Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of the Bedford  focuses on the development of your research question and proposal.

In 3a according to the Bedford Researcher a good, strong research question focuses on a specific issue, reflects your writing situation, and is narrow enough to allow you to  collect information in time to meet your dead line. This chapter has taught me that as I start to form my research question I need to make it flexible; as become more familiar with my topic my research question may change. while making your research question their are 3 steps you should follow:
1. Consider your role- how can you relate to your readers?
2.  Generate potential research questions:

• information
• history
• assumption
• goals
• outcomes
• policies

Once you have a type of question you can combine it with can  different thinking processes:

• definition
• evaluation
• compare/contrast
• cause/effect
• problem/solution
• sequential
• inquiry
• reporting

While making your research question you should pay attention to the words what, would, and should because each word can lead the structure of the research paper in a different direction then you were planning.


3. Select and Refine your research question- chose a research question then chose something in that area that interest you. If done correctly this will create a question that refers to shared assumptions and existing conditions,and narrowing its scope.

In 3b we learn that a research proposal is similar but also very different to a research plan. A research proposal is pretty much your whole paper in sections; when this is completed its given to somebody else ( usually a teacher) to go over and give you feedback on. Before handing it over it should consist of:

• title page
• introduction
• review of literature
• plan to collect information
• project timeline
• working bibliography 
• *abstract/executive summary
• * overview of key challenges
• *funding request