Finding your research question and argument

A good thesis has a strong argument. This argument may develop as you conduct your research, or even while you begin to analyse and write up your results. 

One way to develop a strong thesis is to have a good research question for your research.

Starting with a good research question is important because if you cannot articulate what your question is, how can you be sure that you have answered the question?

Developing a research question

The video below details the features of a good research question and the process of developing a good research question.

Moving from interesting topics to researchable questions

Practical exercises to help you generate and narrow down your research question:

• read O’Leary’s (2021) Four-Step Question Generation Process in her book ‘The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project’
• check out these interactive activities from Monash University that get you to think about the wording and scope of your research question.