As you pose preliminary research questions, you may wonder where and how to enter a research conversation. The following questions may help you find an entry point for your research.
As you orient yourself, try using the following statements to help you find points of entry in a research conversation.
On one side of the debate is position X, on the other side is Y, but there is a middle position Z.
The conventional view about the problem or issue needs to be challenged because. . . .
Key details in this debate that have been overlooked are. . . .
Researchers have drawn conclusion X from the evidence, but one could also draw conclusion Y.
Testing a research question
Thinking like a researcher
Focused research questions
Challenging research questions
Grounded research questions
Putting your working thesis to the “So what?” test