Understanding the question-driven approach to research

Read and Listen

Working with a question-based research model means developing a curious mindset. Don’t settle for the first five sources you find just because they are the first to appear in a Google search. Dig deeper. When you find some answers to your original questions, think about the new questions you might now ask about the issue. The table below illustrates the differences between a topic-driven approach and the question-driven approach we are talking about.

Topic-Driven Research Focus Question-Driven Approach
Day care on campus Why is there no day care facility for young children of adult students on our campus?
Gun control What, if any, common ground exists between the pro-gun and anti-gun groups in our country? How could we tap into that common ground to design gun policies that a majority of citizens would support?
Online pet pharmacies Should online pet pharmacies be government regulated? How can I be sure that prescription drugs I order online are safe for my pets?