Chapter 4: Asking Questions

Question 1

RQ characteristics (3)

Answer 1

significance, researchability, not yet been answered

Question 2

RQ logic of inquiry

Answer 2

what info to include/exclude what data, what to observe + point to a specific topic in broader issue

Question 3

choosing literature (6)

Answer 3

1. identify research area
2. specific case
3. find literature
4. specific aspect of issue
5. assemble biblio
6. read literature critically, evaluate strengths, weaknesses, flaws

Question 4

why formulating RQ should be step 1 in research process? (6)

Answer 4

1. forced to get clear about what u wanna know
2. address issue of real-world significance - my answer contributes to knowledge about sth important
3. address issue politics significance - contributes to existing knowledge
4. organized following work
5. focuses and narrows your search for info
6. enables u to decide what to include/exclude from research

Question 5

Research vase explain and draw

Answer 5

top - broad q/topic relating to P/IR; middle - narrow, researchable question which will enable u to investigate the broader top of the vase question or topic; bottom - broad, how the conclusions of your research contribute to our understanding of the broad question/topic at the top of the vase

Question 6

types of questions (5)

Answer 6

descriptive, explanatory, predictive, prescriptive, normative

Question 7

what are prescriptive question

Answer 7

The things that can be done to bring
about some outcome
Prescribe what should be done to prevent
something from happening or to bring
something about

Question 8

what are predictive question

Answer 8

The future outcome of current conditions or trends
Predict what outcome will occur as
a result of a set of known factors or
conditions

Question 9

descriptive question

Answer 9

The characteristics of something or of
how it works or behaves
Describe the characteristics of something;
model how it works or behaves

Question 10

explanatory questions

Answer 10

The causes of something that has occurred or is happening
Explain what factors or conditions are
causally connected to a known outcome

Question 11

normative questions

Answer 11

What is best, just, right, or preferable
and what, therefore, ought to be done
(or not done) to bring it about (or
prevent it)
Adjudicate among different understandings of how something should be, or what
should or ought to be done, by considering the arguments of others, and submitting rational reasons for one’

Question 12

How do you formulate a question so as to maximize its generality?

Question 13

How might errors of logic in the formulation of a question generate false answers or
conclusions