ResearchUnboxed / Original worksheet
Research question planner
Turn a broad interest into a feasible question, with an ethical next step.
Working title: __________________________________ Date: ______________
01 / Topic
What keeps drawing your attention? List two narrower angles.
02 / Question
Write a question you could answer with accessible evidence.
03 / Importance
Who would benefit from understanding this, and why?
04 / Evidence
Name two types of sources you could use and how you will judge their reliability.
05 / Feasible method
Describe what you will compare, observe or interpret. Explain why this fits your question.
06 / Ethical considerations
Could this involve people, sensitive data or laboratory work? Identify a faculty checkpoint before proceeding.
07 / Limitations
What will your approach leave unanswered?
08 / Next action
Choose one small step, a target date and what you need to begin.
Use locally; this worksheet does not submit or store your answers. Seek faculty guidance before sensitive, human-participant or laboratory work.