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Asking Essential Questions

Start your research right!

Consider this...

topic + search  facts = report

The ideas and information are not yours. You are simply reporting out factual information. You may learn something new, but you are simply reproducing what you find.

  • Who invented the helicopter?
  • What are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome?
  • When was the cell phone first introduced to the public?
  • Where can hand guns be used for hunting?
  • How were helicopters used in Vietnam?

On the other hand...

problem + inquiry investigation = research

The nature of your inquiry depends on the question(s) asked. The question asked will suggest personal connections and generate unique answers.

  • Who is the most powerful man in America?
  • Which treatments for cancer are the most humane?
  • When should youth be allowed to vote in federal elections?
  • What is the effect of technology on teen literacy?
  • How do athletics impact student achievement?