Critical Thinking & the Research Question
Thinking further about the RQ
Elements of Reasoning:
- Purpose
- Question at issue
- Concepts
- Assumptions
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- Purpose
- Question at issue
- Concepts
- Assumptions
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Apply the Elements of Reason to your Research Question:
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Purpose:
- Why does your question matter?
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Question at issue:
- What is the problem your question could analyze or solve?
- What important sub-questions are embedded within my question?
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Information:
- Data, facts observations, experiences
- What do you already know about the topic?
- What do you need to know to answer the question?
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Interpretations & inferences:
- Conclusions or solutions
- What do you think the answer might be?
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Concepts:
- What theories, definitions, axioms, laws, principles or models deal with your question?
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Assumptions:
- Anything you might be taking for granted about your topic/problem?
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Implications & consequences:
When answering my question:
- If I decide to do X what might happen?
- If I decide to not do X what might happen?
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Point of view:
- What perspective will your RQ take?
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This handout is adapted from The Foundation for Critical Thinking. www.criticalthinking.org
