- Consider the emerging questions. The student should now begin posing open-ended questions about the student topic. These questions will usually be framed "how", "why", or "to what extent."
- Evaluate the question. Once the student has posed possible research questions the student should evaluate them. This evaluation should be based on whether the question is clear, focused, and arguable.
- Clear Will the reader understand the nature of my research? Will it direct the research being undertaken?
- Focused - Will the research question be specific enough to allow for exploration within the scope of the task (that is, the number of words and time available)?
- Arguable - Does the research question allow for analysis, evaluation and the development of a reasoned argument?
- Consider research outcomes. Once the student has decided on a research question, the student should start thinking about the direction the research might take. The student could do this by:
- suggesting possible outcomes of the student research
- outlining the type of argument, the student might make and how the student research might support this
- considering options if the research available is not sufficient to support a sustained argument