Developing a Research Question

Mrs. BovinoLibrary

Research QuestionThe answer should not be in your notes

or in any one sourceReflect upon what you learned this yearRequires critical thinking to answerYou must evaluate the facts and draw

your own conclusions!The answer to your research question

should be your opinion!

Ancient Greece to RenaissanceTopic Choices• Government • Religion• Art

Your Subject for ResearchChoose a subject that you found

interesting/enjoyed in the area of either Government, Religion or Art

Brainstorm ideas within topics

Research QuestionsMust start with How or WhyMust be a Comparison or Cause/Effect

Question

Comparison QuestionSelect items you want to compare.

Ex. Joan of Arc and Eleanor of Aquitane

• Select criteria of the items on which you want to base your comparison (choose 3). Ex. 1) Background 2) Motivation 3) Contribution

Explain how the items are different with respect to the characteristics you selected.

Comparison Support QuestionsDefine the 2 items being compared

1st supporting question. Ex. Who was Joan? Who was Eleanor? (Background information)

Define the additional criteria being researched2nd supporting question. Ex. What were

Joan’s beliefs? What was Eleanor’s beliefs?3rd supporting question. Ex. What were

Joan’s contributions? What ere Eleanor’s contributions?

Make a ChartJoan of Arc Eleanor of

Aquitane

Background Who were they?

Motivation/BeliefsWhat were their beliefs?

ContributionsWhat were their contributions?

Cause/Affect QuestionEx. How did feudalism affect common

people?Choose 3 effects to discuss Examples:

WorkEducationFamilyLeisureFreedom

Format -Use for all forms – Photo Story,

Prezi, Paper, etc.Introduction – State your Thesis (this is your

opinion, not a fact)If comparison question: 3 criteria to compare

such as 1) background 2) beliefs 3) contributions

OR If Cause/Affect question: 3 effects such as

1) Work 2) Education 3)Family Conclusion – Restate your thesis. Provide proof

to your thesis from facts

Remember…

If you use sources other than your class notes, you must cite in proper Works Cited format.