Hello Reader,

The topic for today’s newsletter comes from a reader’s request:

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Creating a research question isn’t something we do in one go. It is an iterative process of reflection, research, and refinement.

Active note-taking, where you actively explore and express your thoughts through writing, is crucial in this process.

So, let’s break it down step by step.

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Step 1. Reflection

Let us start from where you are.

The goal here is not to create THE research question but to narrow your focus to just one initial question.

Here are two possible methods to help you find that starting point.

Method 1. Start with your interests

Some people have a “North Star” – the one thing that drives where they go.

Others have a “Southern Cross Constellation” – a group of (apparently) scattered interests with a hidden force bringing them all together.

That hidden force is “you”.

1. List all your (research) interests.
2. Group them by similarity (max. 7 groups).
3. Name each group.
4. Select 3 groups and identify the relationships between them.
5. Name the idea that emerges from their relationship.

Try different combinations in step 4, then choose one emergent idea as your Southern Cross Constellation.

When you convert this constellation into a question, you have found your initial research question.

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Method 2. Explore your current question

If you have been studying a topic for a while, you likely have a hunch for the question you want to learn more about.

Start by exploring this question and the knowledge you already have.

1. Ask yourself: “What question would you like to investigate?”
2. Write down your answer in a stream of consciousness – no judgment, no erasing, no stopping. It is okay if your mind jumps around; the goal is exploration, not a final answer.
3. Identify the ideas in your text:
   1. Highlight terms that reference ideas you care about.
   2. Identify ideas you are discussing but haven't explicitly named. (i.e. Which idea are you talking about in a paragraph?)
4. Name and describe each idea (you care about):
   1. Names can be nouns, phrases, relationships, or claims.
   2. Descriptions explain what the idea is or justify why you believe it (if the idea is a claim).

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As you identify and explain each idea, you will start questioning your knowledge and assumptions. Among these ideas, you’ll find a candidate for your initial research question. You can repeat this method to refine it further.

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Once you are happy with your initial question, move to step 2.

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Step 2. Research

Rather than jump into research to ANSWER the question, the focus here is to REFINE the question.

First, break down your initial question to understand what needs to be known. For example, if your initial question is, “What are the steps of a PKM for research workflow?” consider:

• What do you mean by PKM?
• What do you mean by PKM for research?
• What do you mean by a PKM workflow?
• What do you mean by “steps” in a workflow?

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The question is not “What is PKM?”, but “What do you mean by PKM?”.

Instead of jumping into a frenzy literature review to learn everything there is to know about PKM, I invite you to calm down and take one step back. Start by exploring your current understanding of these ideas.

Write down your understanding.

Only then look at the research literature, asking yourself how it:

• Supports your understanding.
• Contradicts your understanding.
• Expands or constrains your understanding.

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In the process you will find multiple definitions of PKM, no explicit mention of PKM for research, multiple names for what you call a “PKM workflow”, and what you call “steps” may not be explicitly stated in the sources.

That’s all fine.

That’s all knowledge.

And you don’t need to dive deep into any of it!

Instead, take what you have learned and move to step 3.

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Step 3. Refinement

Research questions evolve.

They start vague and broad and become more precise as your knowledge deepens.

As you study your question, you might discover nuances that lead you to refine it. For example, distinguishing between PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) and PIM (Personal Information Management) might shift your focus. Or you might switch from looking at “workflows” to “frameworks” after reviewing existing literature.

Through this process of exploration and refinement, you will arrive at a well-defined research question, shaped by your interests, personal knowledge, and what you have learned in your discipline.

For example, your initial question, “What are the steps of a PKM for research workflow?” might evolve into:

You can then use the question to draft your research proposal or return to Step 1 for further reflection.

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Talk to you soon.

Until then, take care.

Bianca

P.S.: Yes, there are disagreements on how broad or narrow a research question should be.

Some researchers believe the research question serves as a guiding question. It should be broad enough to allow for changes in the research direction if needed.

Others believe the question should be hyper-specific to the point we can derive a falsifiable hypothesis from it.

Regardless of your belief or your discipline's guidelines, this process will work for you just the same 😉