What Is Research and What Makes a Good Research Question?

1. Rob Denny (Lecturer in Research Methods):
   • Research in social science involves systematically collecting information about the world and using it to answer questions.
   • It distinguishes itself from other forms of inquiry by its systematic approach and the attempt to make inferences beyond the data.
2. Professor Sandra Halperin (Author of Political Research Methods and Practical Skills):
   • Research is systematic inquiry that helps make sense of the world and informs debates on contemporary issues.
   • A good research question is significant, well-researchable, and addresses an unresolved issue, contributing to cumulative knowledge.
3. Unnamed Interviewee (Expert in Empirical Research):
   • Research involves identifying a topic, exploring it, making findings, and presenting them to a broader audience.
   • The shift from an exclusive focus on one society to a broader perspective enhances the relevance of research across different contexts.
4. Educator with a Focus on Urban Youth and Immigrant Youth:
   • A good research question addresses pressing social issues and can arise from personal experiences, such as challenges faced in teaching immigrant youth.
   • Ethnographic research, involving direct observation and understanding from the students' perspective, can lead to transformative insights and practical tools for educators.

These perspectives collectively emphasize the importance of systematic inquiry, significance of the research question, and the potential for research to contribute meaningfully to understanding and addressing real-world issues.