Research Question and Process

Competency

In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency:

• Develop data-driven research questions for addressing professional problems

Scenario

Congratulations! You have successfully made it through two rounds of interviews for an internal position that will focus heavily on research skills. The hiring team has narrowed the candidate field to you and one other candidate, and now they want to understand your process and rationale for creating research-based questions. You have been asked by the interview committee to present your process and rationale for creating one research-based question in order to exhibit your leadership qualities in your critical thinking about research.

Directions

Research Question and Process
Document your process and rationale for creating one research-based question that addresses the problem you identified in your previous research studies.

1. Create a research question that meets the following criteria:
   • Researchable
   • Measurable but not too factual
   • Complex yet clear
   • Neither too broad nor too narrow
   • Has value for gathering information
   • Has relevance to your identified research problem
2. Identify the problem your research question addresses.
   • Summarize the problem the profession faces.
     • Identify the most important factor(s) in the problem that your question was created to answer.
3. Demonstrate how you developed your question through the following four steps:
   • Identify patterns of symptoms.
   • Analyze patterns of symptoms.
   • Investigate symptoms through research.
   • Hone question through multiple iterative drafts.
4. Identify how to mitigate multiple threats to the ethical research process within your topic. Include the following:
   • When and how you might consider various ethical threats, including personal bias
   • How you might ensure these threats were reduced or mitigated in your question

What to Submit

To complete this project, you must submit the following:

Flowchart or Presentation
Create a detailed flowchart that explains your process for creating and analyzing a question. Alternatively, complete a different type of presentation that clearly explains your process for creating and analyzing a question.

Supporting Materials

The following resource(s) may help support your work on the project:

Website: 40 Fantastic Flow Chart Templates
This site presents downloadable flowchart formats for specific Microsoft programs.

Reading: PowerPoint: Guides, Tips and Help
This site gives helpful tips for creating a professional presentation.

Reading: Slide Layout
This site gives tips for making sure your presentation slides are readable, which is an important aspect of creating a professional presentation.

Reading: 15 Strategies for Giving Oral Presentations
This site gives specific tips on how to perform public speaking well.