Research+Questions

Developing a Research Question After your students have explored their field site and have learned to conduct several water quality tests, they can begin to develop a research question. Students will be able to gather data on their research question over the course of the school year. The following activity will teach your students to distinguish between a good and a poor research question. Print and copy one per group [|Research_Questions_Notecard_handout.doc] and [|Sample_Research_Questions_Notecards.doc]. In groups of 3 to 4 students can sort the sample research questions into the four categories described on the notecard handout. The card sort should be followed by a class discussion on the results of the card sort.

The following handouts can be used to provide background information on research questions, variables and controls [|5.3_Researchable_Questions_in_Progress.doc]

These handouts contain templates for recording research question ideas [|5.1_Research_Question_Worksheet_Part1_-_Teacher_Version.doc] and [|5.2_Research_Question_Worksheet_Part_2_-_Student_Version.doc]