Entry points to research

R-12

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

Related topics:

Focused research questions

Challenging research questions

Grounded research questions

R-13

Putting your working thesis to the “So what?” test