Different Educational Approaches to Media Literacy

You have collected a variety of sources on your topic in Unit 1, however, Unit 2 will focus specifically on answering a research question. But how do you pick a good research question? This activity will help you pick one, which will be approved by your instructor.

Step 1:
You should first read pages 368-373 of your textbook (starting from the section “Narrow Your Topic”). Use this section of the textbook to understand the work you’ve already done to gather background information and why it’s important to narrow your topic. Pay particular attention to the examples of research questions provided by the book. You’re expected to offer a good research question, so this section will help you.

Step 2:
Using this section of the textbook to guide your response, answer the following questions.

What has your topic in the class been so far? What is the puzzle or problem at the center of the topic (in other words, what are the most heavily-debated parts of that topic, and why do the answers to that debate matter)?
What do you want your research question to be for Unit 2? Remember that research questions are literally questions (with question marks) that you hope to answer by looking at several sources on the topic. Please write your research question as a question. You can suggest two research questions if you aren’t sure.
For more help in creating good questions, see “Generating good research topics and questions.”
Think of one specific group of people or audience for your research. Who specifically does this research matter to and why? Here, do not say everyone. Instead, identify at least one specific group that would be particularly interested in your research question and the answers/solutions to this question. For example, if I was researching the effects of COVID-19 infection on an unborn fetus, then one of my specific audiences would be pregnant women. Another specific audience could be obstetricians (medical doctors who work with pregnant women, deliver babies, etc.)
Step 3:
Based on the research you’ve done so far, what do you know about possible answers to your question (that you listed in Step 2)? What do you need to look into before you can answer your research question? Here, I’d like you to list at least 5 questions you have about your topic that a source could answer for you. Remember, these questions should be things you feel you need to answer before you can answer the research question you offered in Step 2. (If you can’t come up with questions–or if the questions seem too simple–you may need to reconsider your research question.)

You have two goals with these questions:

To enhance your knowledge These questions should be designed to help you gain some mastery over the facts of the problem or puzzle that interests you. You will be required to demonstrate that you are learning new things about your topic, so you do not want to ask questions that you know the answers to.
To enhance your understanding: These questions should be designed to help you gain a better understanding of the complexity of the situation. You will want to be looking for sources that will challenge your preconceptions and make you think about the issue in new ways. You will be required to demonstrate that you have a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the complexity of your issue, so you do not want to ask questions that will lead you to supporting evidence