Geog 609
 

Preliminary research questions assignment
 

Formulate three to four research problem statements that would be suitable for an M.A. or Ph.D. thesis in Geography.  Each problem statement should represent a potential topic for the thesis proposal you will write by the end of the year.  Your problem statements may all be on the same general subject, or they may be on different subjects if your interests are varied.  Ideally each problem statement should consist of one research question (stated as a question) or a small group of closely related questions that define a theme, plus two or three sentences that provide background to the problem.  Each problem statement therefore should be four to five sentences long. 

Some suggestions in formulating your research questions:

1.  Don't state your lifetime research goal; define a topic that is an appropriate scale for an M.A. thesis or Ph.D. dissertation.

2.  Some common forms for geographical research questions are:
            Of factors A, B, C, D, which is most important in influencing spatial/environmental phenomenon or process E?
            How do factors A, B, C, D influence or determine the spatial distribution, historical development, or environmental character of E?
            What is the importance of spatial structure A, B, C, D for environmental or social outcome E?
            What role does environmental context A, B, C, D play in environmental or social outcome E?
            How does human understanding of environmental phenomena A, B, C, D--as reflected in x and y--affect action or process E?
           
3.  As you formulate your questions, think of how you will answer each one.  What would constitute a convincing answer?  What kinds of evidence, information, or data would you need to build this answer?  What kinds of analysis might you use to interpret or evaluate this information or data? 

4.  In your proposal, you must be able to state why this question is important.  You should select a question that will be of interest to an audience of scholars, policy makers, or some such.

5.  Where do research questions come from, you might ask?  They come from several sources, including: questions stated by other researchers working in the area, questions that you infer from reading works previously published in the area, ideas suggested by personal experiences or observations, and ideas suggested in courses or seminars you have taken.