Initiate
Initiate is the first step in the Research Process which includes BRAINSTORMING and DEFINING
the research topic. Guiding Questions - at this stage of the process we should ask: • What is my purpose? • What do I already know? • What do I need to know for this task? • What are the keywords, concepts of the topic? • What is my Inquiry Question Focus or Thesis? |
Developing an Inquiry Question
A good inquiry question should include a call to action,
be open-ended and align with learning goals (but not specifically stating them).
Narrowing your focus:
Too broad
What adaptations do animal species make in order to survive in various habitats?
A narrower focus could be:
Could a dog live in a desert?
Too broad
How can we use measurement skills and knowledge of geometery to plan a park?
A narrower focus could be:
How can we plan a usable park?
A good inquiry question should include a call to action,
be open-ended and align with learning goals (but not specifically stating them).
Narrowing your focus:
Too broad
What adaptations do animal species make in order to survive in various habitats?
A narrower focus could be:
Could a dog live in a desert?
Too broad
How can we use measurement skills and knowledge of geometery to plan a park?
A narrower focus could be:
How can we plan a usable park?
Deciding on a Research Topic
Students should: • relate the task to their prior knowledge • brainstorm and Mindmap keywords and concepts of the task • define the key words of the task • analyze key ideas or concepts of the task • state the task in their own words • work out all the parts of the task • Ask 6 Ws (what, when, where, which, who, why) • determine their Inquiry focus question or thesis |