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MUS 3010: Music History and Literature I

Research Questions

A good research question is:

Interesting to you. You will do better research and write a more engaging paper if you choose a topic that you find significant.
Supportable with research (not just personal opinion).
Precise. Defines the boundaries and direction of your research.
Appropriately scoped for the length of the assignment (neither too broad nor too narrow).

Definitional Research Questions	Interpretive Research Questions
answerable with facts focus on who, what, when, where	answerable by examining a topic through a particular frame/lens focus on why, how
The research/writing challenge: Sift through a variety of sources to identify the most critical information for answering your question. Synthesize those sources into a unified piece of writing.	The research/writing challenge: Understand other scholars' interpretations of your research topic. Fit your own interpretive voice into that conversation.

Definitional Research Questions

Interpretive Research Questions

The research/writing challenge:

Sift through a variety of sources to identify the most critical information for answering your question.
Synthesize those sources into a unified piece of writing.

The research/writing challenge:

Before you can formulate a good question, some preliminary research is essential to help you gain an initial understanding of a topic.

Good starting places:

Contact:

Brandel 115

773-244-6241