Unit 1 Research Inquiry Assignment       Overview: Asking a focused research question is one of the most important steps of the research...

Unit 1 Research Inquiry Assignment

Overview: Asking a focused research question is one of the most important steps of the research process. A well-formed question that approaches your topic from a fresh angle (your angle) will allow you to explore your topic in new and exciting ways (ways that don’t merely repeat what others have said). This assignment asks you to formulate your best focused RQ. In addition, this assignment asks you to respond to a few questions.

Please note: your question can (and will) evolve as you learn more over the next few weeks. But at this point you want to formulate the best question you can as a springboard for your research.

Directions:

1 ) At the top of your essay state your topic and focused research question.

2)Answer these questions (and make sure it’s clear which parts of your essay are answering which questions, however your must follow a standard essay structure):

1.     Why do you want to write about this?

2.     Why are you interested in finding a true answer to your research question?

3.     What kinds of people might have a stake in your research project? Why?

4.     What are additional, smaller questions that might help you answer your research question?

5.     What, if any, beliefs, assumptions, preconceptions, ideas, or prejudices do you bring to your project? What experiences may have shaped the way you think or feel about it? Before you began developing your Working Knowledge on your topic, what was your thinking on it? What is your thinking on it now?

6.     What have you learned in your preliminary research?  What conversations exist?

Formal Requirements:

·       Length: 4-5 pages (1300-1600 words)

·       Double-spaced

·       Times New Roman

·       12 pt. font

·       One-inch margins

·       Page numbers.

·       Proofread and free of mechanical errors.