The Research Process  Tags: research start process  

Now that you have a general sense of your topic, you want to develop several Research Questions. 

The answers to these Research Questions should have the potential to impact what you think about the topic, so avoid questions that will lead only to information that supports your current thinking. 

If any of your initial questions (from Step 1) were not answered using background information, you may be able to develop them into Research Questions.

Note: consider where you might find information to answer your research questions (articles, books, audio/visual materials, government publications, websites, etc.).

Example 1
Topic: The Ghost in Hamlet 

• What have literary critics said about the role of the Ghost in Hamlet? 
• What were the prevailing beliefs in Elizabethan times about ghosts? 
• Did Shakespeare use ghosts in other plays, and, if so, how? 

(books, articles)

 
Example 2
Topic: Current Ideas about Autism 

• Do we know what causes autism? 
• How many different kinds of autism are there, and how are they different? 
• What are current treatments for people with autism? 

(books, articles)

 
Example 3
Topic: Proctor & Gamble's Animal Testing 

• How has Proctor & Gamble used animals to test their products? 
• Does Proctor & Gamble publish its corporate position on animal testing? 
• How has Proctor & Gamble responded to boycotts for testing products on animals?

(articles, websites)

If we can further assist you in your search for information, please drop by the reference desk or contact reference staff by phone at 410-777-2456 or by email at refdesk@aacc.edu.