Unsure about your question? Put it to the test using these seven questions.
- Does my question allow for many possible answers? Is it flexible and open-ended?
- Is it testable? Do I know what kind of evidence would allow an answer?
- Can I break big “why” questions into empirically resolvable pieces?
- Is the question clear and precise? Do I use vocabulary that is vague or needs definition?
- Have I made the premises explicit?
- Is it of a scale suitable to the length of the assignment?
- Can I explain why the answer matters?
If your question didn't do so well, remember to talk to your professor before starting over. They can help enhance your question for historical exploration.