unfortunately, this is what passes for a research model among many students

Unfortunately, this is what passes for a research model

among many students

You are doing a investigative journalism paper on climate

change in the Arctic.

Where do you start?

“Climate Change.” Encyclopedia of the Arctic, 2005

Possible questions:

1. How fast is climate changing in the Arctic?2. What’s causing climate change in the Artic?3. Why is Arctic climate change more dramatic than climate change at the Equator?4. Is current Arctic climate change a product of human-generated greenhouse gas or simply part of climate cycle patterns that have always been present?

(Face indicates how bad or good the question is.)

Choose One

Is current Arctic climate change a product of human-generated greenhouse gas or simply part of climate cycle patterns that have always been present?

Is current Arctic climate change a product of human-generated greenhouse gas or simply part of climate cycle patterns that have always been present?

Now ask : What am I really looking for in the above question?

One situation

Is current Arctic climate change a product of human-generated greenhouse gas or simply part of climate cycle patterns that have always been present?

Two options

Goal is to determine which option is most likely.

Is current Arctic climate change a product of human-generated greenhouse gas or simply part of climate cycle patterns that have always been present?

This leads naturally to a possible outline:

IntroductionI. The Reality – Arctic Climate ChangeII. The Options

A. Climate Cycle Patterns B. Human Generated Greenhouse Gas Conclusion

Here are some possible questions. Good or bad?

“Is Globalization a good thing?”

Bad

Why?

“Is Globalization a good thing?”

What do you mean by “Globalization?”

- Global economies?- Global politics?- Development of a Global culture?

What do you mean by “good?”

“Does the development of global free trade actually improve theeconomic life of the poorest producers of goods?”

Better:

”Does the development of global free trade actually improve theeconomic life of the poorest producers of goods?”

Introduction

I. The Intended Purpose of Global Free Trade (to improve economic life)

II. The Evidence (examples of the results of free trade among the poor)

Conclusion

Another question Good or bad?

“What are the difficulties facing homeless children and how can we help them further their education?”

Bad

Why?

“What are the difficulties facing homeless children and how can we help them further their education?”

1. Two-part question, leading to two research projects rather than one. Note that the first part is really just a data gathering exercise, so that the real question is the second one.

2. Which homeless children? Where?

Better:

“Given the challenges facing homeless children in inner city Vancouver, what is the best way to ensure that they get a good education?”(Subsuming the first question under the second to make one question)

Outline:

IntroductionI. The Challenges Facing Homeless ChildrenII. The Options Available to Ensure Good Education A. B. etc.Conclusion – The Best Option

Another question Good or bad?

“How valid is the argument that legalizingall currently illegal drugs would cut crime and stabilize or diminish drug use?”

Good

Why?

“How valid is the argument that legalizingall currently illegal drugs would cut crime and stabilize or diminish drug use?”

1.A narrow topic

2.Problem-solving focus (two sides, at least, to this issue).

3.Non-obvious answer

4.Capable of being researched (Evidence is out there)

5.The problem presented is clear and has a single focus

“How valid is the argument that legalizingall currently illegal drugs would cut crime and stabilize or diminish drug use?”

Outline

Introduction

I. Arguments against legalization

II. Arguments for legalization

Conclusion

(Note that the arguments would focus on potential crime and drug use benefits only)