Writing Research Questions

On the course schedule, I am scheduled to discuss research questions. Due to the length of the lecture, we may not get to research questions, so here are some key points and some good references.

Your research question sets up expectations in the client or the reader.

Your research question will address two key facets or what Andrea A. Lunsford refers to as the "topic" and the "comment."

The "topic" is the subject. So, for example, as a topic for your client project, you might select:
Social media use and publics
Publics' level of involvement with organization
Media coverage of the organization

The "comment" is the point. In the research question, the comment is the aspect of the topic you are trying to explore and answer. So based on the topics we have listed, your research questions might be:
a. How do publics understand or make meaning of nonprofits' usage of social media to reach them?
b. What are the factors that determine publics' interaction with organization online and in social media?
c. What are the components that make up a relationship with a nonprofit?
d. What are the information-seeking behaviors of Atlantas who are interested in volunteering/finding new things to do?
e. How and to what level are public informed and involved with the client's volunteer activities?
f. What media are covering our clients? How significant is the coverage?
g. Are donations related to media coverage?

Check out the following resources on research questions:
http://www.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/writerscomplex.nsf/0/f87fd7182f0ff21c852569c2005a47b7
http://blip.tv/file/977586

Based on your research question, you can determine the appropriate methods.