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How to Turn a Common Topic Into a Focused Research Question
Think of ways to narrow overly broad topics to more interesting research questions by identifying specific angles or aspects, such as in the examples below. Ask open ended questions (how/why) instead of questions with just a yes/no answer.
|
Overly Broad or Overdone Topics |
Different Aspects to Explore |
More Focused Research Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
Immigration |
Economic |
How does immigration impact employment opportunities for documented citizens? |
| Political | What responsibility do nations have in providing asylum to refugees? | |
| Global | Compared to the US, how are other countries addressing immigration and how effective are these measures? | |
| Legalizing Marijuana | Economic | How have the economies of states that have legalized marijuana been impacted? |
| Social/Legal | How has the legalization of marijuana affected incarceration rates and recidivism? | |
| Global | How does legalizing marijuana in parts of the US impact the international drug trade? | |
| Minimum Wage | Economic | How does raising the minimum wage impact prices for consumers, and does this hurt or help the economy? |
| Political | Should there be a federal minimum wage, or should it be determined at state and local levels and why? | |
| Social | What impact does raising the minimum wage have on the value of a college degree or professional credentials? |