Kickstart your thesis with a perfect research question

Name: Kickstart your thesis with a perfect research question
Rating: 4.3 (3 reviews)

Build a strong foundation for your thesis through this research question workshop

Created byProf. Dominik FROEHLICH

Last updated 6/2023

English

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What you'll learn

Learn about what makes a good research topic for your thesis or study.
Work through the hands-on workshop to find an adequate research topic for you.
Learn about what makes a good research question for your thesis or study.
Work through the hands-on workshop to find an adequate research question for you.

Course content

4 sections • 24 lectures • 1h 51m total length

Welcome4:02
Discover how to choose a thesis topic and refine it into a strong research question through workshops, understanding its importance as a foundation and compass for your thesis.

Find a great research topic: Overview0:59
Discover how to find a good thesis topic in two steps: define strong topics and join a workshop to narrow and align it with your interests.
Finding a topic4:11
Explore how to identify a thesis topic that sits at the intersection of personal interest and field, gather diverse idea sources, and use a research journal to develop your question.
Research topic workshop: Introduction1:55
Explore topic selection for your thesis by thinking in writing, reporting your thoughts aloud or in notes, and using visualizations to clarify and refine your research question.
Research topic workshop: Preamble1:22
Begin the workshop with a preamble and a series of open questions, allowing time to answer; use pause to answer honestly, trust the process, and stay open to spontaneous thoughts.
Summary of the research topic section1:48
Develop a strong research topic by iterating ideas from workshop questions, following hunches, and reconciling personal and field perspectives using a research question journal, ensuring a motivated, well-founded topic.
Research topic workshop: Part 118:10
Explore personal and professional interests to shape your research topic, identify relevant field topics, assess prior knowledge, and select promising methodological approaches for your thesis.
Research topic workshop: Part 26:10
Explore current field interests, identify major concepts in recent journals, map gaps and underrepresented topics, and outline directions for a focused literature search to refine your research question.

Finding your research question: Overview1:38
Turn your topic into a precise, well founded research question by breaking it down and filtering, and gain clarity by answering common student questions.
What is a good research question?1:24
Explore the Minerva Formula, an acronym to craft a strong research question. Learn how to review existing literature, narrow your topic, and formulate a solid research question through interactive workshops.
How broad does a research question need to be?3:10
Learn how broad a research question should be by tracing a research life cycle from exploratory research with qualitative methods to confirmatory quantitative studies and literature reviews.
Which method should I use?3:10
Form a concrete research question first, then choose a method—qualitative for exploratory work, quantitative for tested hypotheses, or a literature review—considering resources and learning goals for pragmatic alignment.
M1:01
Evaluate whether a research question is manageable and feasible by assessing methodological difficulty, scope, resources, and field constraints to ensure the project can be completed.
I0:47
Discover how choosing a personally interesting topic and a narrow, engaging research question ensures quality work and avoids wasted time.
N1:33
Identify a clear new component in your work to advance knowledge, while embracing incremental steps that move the field forward and allow productive debate with prior work.
Identifying a research gap for your thesis or dissertation4:49
E1:24
Clarify ethical considerations from the start by evaluating whether your research questions are justifiable within your field, and anticipate any ethical review requirements using the Minerva formula.
R1:11
Assess the relevance and value of your research question by ensuring it contributes to the field and sparks interest among researchers, entering scholarly discussions through theses and published work.
V1:14
Focus on clarifying your research question by defining clear concepts, a theoretical perspective, and a target population to specify what the question is about and what it is not.
A1:47
Refine your research question by ensuring every word is clear, precise, and unambiguous, defining terms when needed, and considering the reader's journey from start to end.
MINERVA Workshop: Part 126:10
Identify major concepts and decompose them into sub-concepts or broader variants to refine your research question, and assess target populations, ambiguity, relevance, ethics, and feasibility for a strong thesis.
MINERVA Workshop: Part 216:10
Craft a precise, clear research question by defining every term, ensuring layperson understandability, and evaluating ethics, methodology, and potential impacts in a MINERVA workshop setting.
How to Craft the Perfect Thesis Statement for your Academic Paper7:03

Requirements

This course is most suitable for postgraduate students about to commence their thesis. However, undergraduate students intending to pursue higher studies and research, or professionals looking to venture into research, will also find it beneficial.
ou should have a basic understanding of your field of study to help generate relevant research questions. However, we'll guide you on how to explore and refine your interests as part of the course.
A genuine interest in your subject and a curiosity for discovering new insights are perhaps the most crucial prerequisites. These are the elements that will keep you driven and make the journey enjoyable.
ou will need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a stable internet connection to access the course materials and participate in interactive sessions.

Description

On completion of this course, you will not just have a research question in hand, but a research compass. One that will continually point you towards your true North, even in the most complex turns of your research journey. A well-crafted research question can be your unyielding motivator, always reminding you of your research purpose and keeping you driven.

In this transformative course, we don’t just focus on the “how” of crafting an exceptional research question; we delve into the “why” as well. Comprehending why a meticulously crafted research question is crucial can significantly enhance your ability to construct one that isn’t just satisfactory, but extraordinary.

Our workshops are far from mere theory. They are hands-on, interactive, and practical. They are structured to stimulate your creativity and guide you in forging an original and relevant research question. The essence of these workshops isn’t just about providing you with the steps, it’s about nurturing a skill – one that can be an influential factor in the success of your thesis.

A compelling research question is a research lighthouse, illuminating your thesis journey and warding off potential obstacles. It’s not merely a statement; it’s an affirmation of your research focus, an announcement of your intellectual curiosity, and a signpost directing your research efforts.

With my years of experience supervising numerous students and conducting my own extensive scientific research, I can assure you that a well-defined path is what you need as you delve into the thrilling but unpredictable domain of research. Your journey may lead you into uncharted territories, but the beacon of your research question will ensure you never lose sight of your destination.

So, step aboard and let this course be your guide, your mentor, and your lighthouse in the exciting odyssey of your thesis creation. Unleash your potential and transform your thesis journey from daunting to exhilarating with the power of a robust research question.

Who this course is for:

Undergraduate Students: If you're an ambitious undergraduate considering further studies, this course will give you a head start by equipping you with the ability to craft effective research questions—an invaluable skill for future theses or dissertations.
Postgraduate Students: If you're about to commence your master's or doctoral thesis and you're uncertain about how to form a strong, compelling research question, this course will provide you with the skills and confidence you need.
Early Career Researchers: If you're an early career researcher or academic finding your footing in the vast research landscape, this course can help refine your approach to formulating research questions, thus enhancing the impact of your work.
Professionals Considering Research: For professionals contemplating a transition into research, this course offers a strong foundation. It provides you with a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate the research process, starting with the crucial step of formulating a research question.

Kickstart your thesis with a perfect research question

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 4min

Find a great research topic7 lectures • 35min

Finding your research question15 lectures • 1hr 13min

Bonus1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: