One way to approach college research is to start with your own curiosity. What problems or questions interest you? What topics do you want to learn more about? Talk through your preliminary research question with two classmates. Explain what question you plan to research, what research conversation you’ll enter, and why this question is worth exploring. You might find it helpful to use phrases such as “I’m asking X to learn about Y because . . .” or “I’m entering X debate to learn more about Y so that my readers can understand Z.” Ask your classmates to suggest revisions to your research question to make it narrower, more challenging, or more grounded. See the examples in R1-b. With the comments of your classmates in mind, use the space below to revise your research question.
Click Submit to record your activity in your instructor’s gradebook. You may review your answers by returning to the exercise at any time. (An exercise reports to the gradebook only if your instructor has assigned it.)