Question

An effective research question leads the researcher to find sources that can support a thorough, well-developed response. If a question is too simple, it may not require research to answer it. So, an effective research question must be ________, meaning it may have more than one answer.

1) specific
2) open-ended
3) complex
4) ambiguous

Answer 1

An effective research question should be open-ended, provoking debate and remaining answerable by consulting sources, leading to various plausible answers.

Step-by-step explanation:

An effective research question must be open-ended, meaning it may have more than one plausible answer. Creating a question that avoids a simple yes-or-no format and instead provokes a reasonable debate leads to a more engaging and informative research process. It's important that a research question remains answerable while being of enough consequence to impact others. Questions that prompt further inquiry and require consultative investigation with knowledgeable sources like librarians are hallmarks of a well-crafted research prompt. An open-ended question fuels the research with a range of potential conclusions, each supported by evidence, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the topic.