Asking Questions

The first chapter of Salkind led me to consider the importance of finding an appropriate question. I have just completed DMGT730 in which we worked through the process of writing a dissertation proposal. Though the class involved a great deal of research and reading, the really difficult intellectual problem was in finding an appropriate question to investigate. For my own topic, I adjusted the question six times before submitting the final assignment.

Once you locate an area of interest, it may be a good exercise to list the many, many variables that surround that area. These variables may suggest questions that could be posed. The student of research may then list all of the questions that could be the topic of a dissertation. Many of these cannot be pursued because they are too vague, poorly formed, or contain impossible requirements. Remove the questions that cannot be used. Of those remaining, many will have already been examined. A study of the literature will eliminate more questions. This study will also lead to new questions that were generated as a result of previous research.

This exercise is probably not the best way to locate THE problem that a student will research. But, it is a good way to come to an appreciation of the number of questions that can be asked. It might also help in understanding the difference between good and poor research topics.