Developing Your Research Question or Topic

This article explains how to formulate effective research questions, detailing key characteristics and a systematic development process. It emphasizes that a well-crafted research question is crucial for creating focused, impactful research across various fields.

This guide from Ohio State University provides a structured, five-step approach to formulating effective research questions. It emphasizes that developing a strong research question is an iterative process, crucial for focused academic inquiry.

This article explains the importance of well-formulated research questions, outlining key characteristics and providing examples across various disciplines. It illustrates how to refine vague questions into specific, impactful ones for more rigorous studies.

This Scribendi article provides an overview of what makes a strong research question, offering examples of both effective and ineffective questions across various academic subjects. It helps users understand how to refine their questions for clearer and more focused research.

Schedule an appointment with the Communications Lab for a free 50-minute in-person and virtual tutoring session with a range of specialized tutors. They can assist you with writing assignments, lab reports, papers, presentations, slide decks, creative essays, personal statements, and more to help you become a more effective and confident communicator. Whether you are having trouble drafting a thesis statement, deciphering an assignment rubric, structuring an argument, or simply proofreading, the Communications Lab will work with you at any stage of your project.

Schedule a research appointment with a librarian and receive help with starting or advancing your research.
Need help right away? Stop by the Research Help Desk on the upper level of the library, email us at library @iit.edu, or use the online chat tool on the library website.

College-level research can be difficult, even for students who have previously done research. This guide is a great starting point for learning about how to successfully conduct literature-based research, such as secondary research or a literature review.