Building Strong Questions
A strong argument starts with a strong question. Turn your curiosity into a focused, researchable question.
Framework
The Anatomy of a Powerful Research Question
Focused
Investigates a specific issue, not a whole topic.
Testable
Can be answered with evidence, not just opinion.
Complex
Goes beyond a simple yes/no answer. Complex questions are usually about tensions between competing ideas.
Original
Offers a unique angle or explores a tension between ideas.
Logic Path
From Vague Idea to Focused Inquiry
Vague Idea
"Climate Change"
A topic, not a question.
Better Question
"How does climate change affect Australia?"
Researchable, but still too broad.
Focused Inquiry
"To what extent has the increased frequency of El Niño events, as projected by climate models, correlated with documented changes in agricultural output in the Murray-Darling Basin from 2000-2020?"
Specific, measurable, and complex.