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Research question assignment, due on 10/9:
Formulate three to four different research problem
statements that would be suitable for an M.A./M.S. or Ph.D. thesis
in Geography. Each
problem statement should represent a potential topic for the
thesis proposal you will write next term.
Your problem statements may all be on the same general
subject, or they may be on different subjects if your interests
are varied. 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. |
