Essential Research Essential Research QuestionsQuestions

What are they?What are they?

An essential question is a BIG An essential question is a BIG question that requires you to askquestion that requires you to ask

a lot of smaller questions.a lot of smaller questions.

A good essential questionA good essential questionDRIVES your research!DRIVES your research!

There are different types of There are different types of questionsquestions

We need all kinds to create good research…

but which ones are good essential questions?

Fact QuestionsFact QuestionsThere is a correct answerThere is a correct answerThe answer is easy to look upThe answer is easy to look upOften a one-word answerOften a one-word answer

Examples:Examples:Who was the king of Egypt?Who was the king of Egypt?What is the Great Wall of China?What is the Great Wall of China?Where is Mohenjo Daro?Where is Mohenjo Daro?When were the pyramids built?When were the pyramids built?

Is a FACT questionIs a FACT questiona good essential research a good essential research

question?question?

No.

How & Why QuestionsHow & Why QuestionsNot a simple, one-word answerNot a simple, one-word answerThe answer often explains a process or The answer often explains a process or comparisoncomparisonStill has a “correct” answer that you can look upStill has a “correct” answer that you can look up

Examples:Examples:How were mummies made?How were mummies made?How do cats in Egypt compare to cows in India?How do cats in Egypt compare to cows in India?

Is a HOW & WHY questionIs a HOW & WHY questiona good essential research a good essential research

question?question?

No.

Opinion QuestionsOpinion Questions

They make you take a stand…They make you take a stand… … …and support your opinion with evidenceand support your opinion with evidence from your researchfrom your research

There is no “correct” answerThere is no “correct” answerSomeone could disagree with your answer Someone could disagree with your answer and argue against itand argue against it

Opinion QuestionsOpinion Questions

Examples:Examples:

What is the most important contribution of Ancient What is the most important contribution of Ancient China?China?

Why was there only one female pharaoh in Ancient Why was there only one female pharaoh in Ancient Egypt?Egypt?

Was the caste system good for India?Was the caste system good for India?

Are OPINION questionsAre OPINION questionsgood essential research questions?good essential research questions?

Yes!

A good essential research question DRIVES A good essential research question DRIVES you to ask moreyou to ask more

FACT questions and HOW & WHY FACT questions and HOW & WHY questions.questions.

FACT questions and HOW & WHY questions don’t drive you to ask more

questions.

Let’s take some questionsLet’s take some questionsfor a test drive!for a test drive!

Our research topic is…Our research topic is…

Medieval Guilds!

Let’s try some research with a FACT Let’s try some research with a FACT question. Start your engine….question. Start your engine….

What is a stereotype?

Bummer! You ran out of gas before you even got started!

Do you need to know the answers to other questions before you can answer this one?

How about a HOW & WHY question?How about a HOW & WHY question?

What were the steps that a student followed in order to become buy lunch in the cafeteria?

Do you need to know the answer to any other questions in order to answer this one?

That was a little longer trip, but still not very exciting…

How about an opinion question…How about an opinion question…

What is our responsibility in school to promote unity between different groups?

Do you need to know the answers to other questions before you can answer this one?

Look at him go!

Is your question a good Is your question a good essential research question?essential research question?

Give it the test!Give it the test!1.Do you need to answer additional FACT and

HOW & WHY questions before you can answer your essential question?

2.Does it ask you to state your opinion? (Could someone argue with your answer?)

1.Do you need to answer additional FACT and HOW & WHY questions before you can answer your essential question?

2.Does it ask you to state your opinion? (Could someone argue with your answer?)

If you can answer “yes” to both of these questions, you’ve probably created a good essential research question!

Now try some on your own!Now try some on your own!

Wheeeeee!

Hypothetical QuestionsHypothetical Questions

They make you think about something that They make you think about something that hasn’t happened…hasn’t happened…

… …and predict what and predict what might might happenhappenThe answer includes your opinion based The answer includes your opinion based on your researchon your researchThere is no “correct” answerThere is no “correct” answerSomeone could disagree with your answer Someone could disagree with your answer and argue against itand argue against it

Hypothetical QuestionsHypothetical Questions

Examples:Examples:

With such high unemployment, could we be With such high unemployment, could we be headed towards a new phase of headed towards a new phase of feudalism?feudalism?

If the U.S. supply of oil suddenly ended, how If the U.S. supply of oil suddenly ended, how would it affect car companies?would it affect car companies?

Are HYPOTHETICAL questionsAre HYPOTHETICAL questionsgood essential research questions?good essential research questions?

Yes!

Now let’s try a hypothetical question!Now let’s try a hypothetical question!

With so many?

Do you need to answer some other questions before you can answer this one?

That’s a winner!