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Qualities of ineffective research questions

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Qualities of ineffective research questions

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-too broad in terms of time, place or context
-any topic that considers 'hypothetical' constructs
-RQs in which there are insufficient resources for completion

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Qualities of effective research questions

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Qualities of effective research questions

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-specific in terms of time, place and context
-'do-able': that there is sufficient time and resources available for completion
-attempts to be original; bearing in mind that many historical investigations have been proposed, then possibly for the RQ to dig into previous investigations further or in different ways

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Qualities of an ineffective Research Question

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Qualities of an ineffective Research Question

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RQ has little focus on the skills of the historian in determining significance, selectivity, change and continuity, historical perspectives or cause and consequence. The RQ only invites a narrative response that cannot have a specific focus on a controversial aspect of historical perspective. The outcome of the RQ will not be affected by the evaluation of Origin, Purpose, Content of the two chosen key sources.

Qualities of an effective Research Question

RQ directly addresses issues of Value and Limitation of sources in relation to the specific focus of the RQ. This is why it is often better to identify those sources first and the particular perspectives that they represent. The RQ can then be explored further by opening it up to a wider range of sources, mostly secondary ones, that put the RQ in a more contemporary academic context.

Andy Sjoberg

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I've written these suggestions down, bearing in mind that it depends on the individual student and teacher. For instance, a research question which may suit one student very well may not for another.

- The Research Question should have language which is as specific as possible; I usually make reference to language in TOK and illustrate how vague, emotive wording can lead to the RQ being interpreted in different ways.

- Insofar as it is possible, a clear time period with the years should be included.

- Should be phrased in such a way that it requires analysis and is not just a narrative account.

- The 'answer' to a RQ should not be obvious; it should have an element of controversy, this is where interpretation comes into play, especially for source analysis.

- the student must be able to explain how their RQ is linked to one of IB History's core concepts (i.e. significance, perspectives, change, continuity). This concept should be brought out explicitly in their IA.

Ineffective:

- Too ambitious/broad a scope both in terms of timeline as well as what the students are trying to investigate. The word limit of 2,200 word is actually very short!

- an RQ which is largely emotional or  subjective in scope.

- an RQ in which it will be difficult to find resources on.

- it is immediately not clear what the student is trying to ascertain.

- topics which are very common.

- RQs which are highly narrative (many students enjoy retelling stories, but this is not the point of an IA)

Cheers,

Tse Ren

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The question must be narrow enough that it can be answered within the word limit and must allow for analysis.
The topic must be historical in nature but not necessarily completely about history. For instance, one student wrote about how some batman comic reflected the change in  American values in the 90s.
Normally questions that start with 'To what extent...' seem to lend themselves automatically to analysis. I think if you can really nail the structure of the question first it helps a lot.

Ineffective
The question is too broad or structured in a way that doesn't allow for an argument to be made. For instance, What were the results of WWI for Japan?
Questions that maybe go too far back in time so that primary sources are hard to come by or in a language you don't understand.

Ryan

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The question must allow analysis, often beginning with the phrase: (How far..., How significant...., To what extent.... Evaluate the role of ...., Analyse the significance of ...., How useful..., Was the ....(factor) responsible for......(event), Compare and contrast the importance of ....)
The question should be narrow, focused enough t be dealt with effectively within the word limit.
The topic and question should fit into a particular historical context and its significance must be explicit.
The question must definitely be narrowed down and take an analytical approach instead of a narrative approach.
examples:
How significant was the role of Lech Walesa to the success of Solidarity in Poland?
To what extent was the collapse of the Soviet Union responsible for the end of Apartheid in South Africa?
Or
How significant was the end of the cold war in the collapse of the apartheid regime in South Africa?
How important was the role of journalist in the end of Apartheid in South Africa?

Ineffective
Too broad
No specific time frame/scope
factual and not allowing analysis eg (who, what, when why questions)
Within the last ten years
Where there is no availability of resources/suitable sources for analysis and evaluation
examples:
What was the impact of Solidarity in Poland?
Why did the Soviet union invade Czechoslovakia?
Cheers
Milly

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How did journalists influence US war efforts in Vietnam? | How did Journalists influence US wars?
Research and analyze how Japan moved from a feudalistic to a modern state, and how geographic isolation played a role in the process.
Compare and contrast the consequences of the industrial revolutions in England and America in terms of urbanization. |
Compare and contrast the Russian Czarism of Alexander II, Alexander III with Nicholas II in maintaining their power in the 17th   ,   18th and early 19th Centuries?
To what extent did the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 effected Spain’s economy?
Do females age 18-35 score higher than adult males age 18-35 on the IQ intelligent tests

Ineffective
How did Journalists influence US wars?
Examine the differences and similarities between Western and Eastern concepts and practices of kingship.
Compare and contrast the Industrial Revolution in Europe and the USA?
Compare and contrast the Russian Czarism of Alexander II, Alexander III with Nicholas II?
What are the effects of the Spanish civil war?
Are females smarter than males?

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No determined period of time.
Questions start with a what (factual questions with no room for analysis).

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The question includes a relationship of two aspects or elements (e.g: the effects of a particular policy over economic production, or living conditions).

Determined period of time.

Susana Vélez

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Plethora of primary & secondary sources available to support the investigation
Original idea for an investigation (not likely to find a book with that title)

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An insufficient number of sources available for an investigation
An unoriginal idea (study has been overdone)

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Ineffective Qualities                                                      Effective Qualities

too broad