Finding a Research Question…
Not everyone starts with a clear research question in mind. And things may change as you go along. That is why I haven’t mentioned the research question before now.
Once you have begun to develop your own practical projects, and to consider the thematic background to your work, in relation to the ideas and personalities that have informed your research; you can begin to think about a research question. As we get near the finish line, it may be easier to identify a question that you have been addressing.
Don’t make the question too specific. Your question should be elaborated in relation to the wider thematic background that informs your interests and projects. The clear, precise, and explicit, expression of a research question makes the connection between themes and evidence. The connection between these two substantial elements of presentation, through the alignment between themes, question and evidence, makes a very solid platform for your presentation and for your reflective and critical analysis.
The question should also be expressed so as to allow you to use all the material form your projects as evidence. So, frame the question so that it emerges from your themes and applies to your all your project work.
Asking the right question adds depth and context your work. The learning outcome is evidenced by the assessment criteria of enquiry…
It’s a good idea to identify the presence of your question in your text by the use of a section title or sub-heading.
If you are not yet exactly sure of the exact expression of your research question, use a working question as place-holder text.
A good place to position the passage of text where you express your research question is at the end of the thematics, and before your case-study projects are looked at in more detail. Or, it could go between the introduction and the thematics, and so as to set up the thematics.
The connections between themes, ideas, projects and outcomes, should be summarised in your conclusion, and so as to answer your research question.