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Hazard Community and Technical College
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No Results: Stuck in the Search Loop
The Basics (KC)
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No Results: Stuck in the Search Loop
This guide provides help with rethinking your search strategy when you've hit a wall in your research.
Overview (KC)
The Basics (KC)
Writing a Research Question (Infographic)
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Rethinking Your Search (KC)
Topic Tools (KC)
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Librarian
Evelyn Hudson
she/her
Email Me
Contact:
Hazard Community and Technical College
One Community College Drive
Hazard, KY 41701
(606) 487-3147 or (800) 246-7521 ext. 73147
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Subjects:
Appalachian Studies
,
Career Resources
,
Communication
,
Critical Thinking & Information Literacy
,
Distance Learning
,
Education
,
English
,
Music
,
Nursing
,
Recreational Reading
,
Tutorials (Library)
WRITING A RESEARCH QUESTION
Choose Your Topic
Start searching reference sources such as encyclopedias on the topic you want to write on.
Explore Interesting Areas in Your Topic
Start narrowing your topic by asking questions such as:
Who?
When?
Where?
Ask Some Questions about the Who? When? Where?
Build on the questions you asked about who, when, and where with:
How?
Why?
Focus and Deepen the Question
Is your how or why question complex and focused? Can it be answered with YES or NO?
If YES, narrow it down further.
Evaluate the Final Question
How interesting is the question to you?
Can you write an entire paper on the question without getting bored or running out of things to say?
Can the question be answered or is it impossible to answer?
What information do you need to answer the question?
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