Writing Good Research Questions

Enduring Understandings

•Plants and animals are interconnected with each other and their biome.
•Humans often upset the delicate balance of nature.
•Drastic measures must be taken to protect some species.

Simple facts like a description of your animal and its habitat WILL NOT convince the foundation to save your endangered animal. Instead you must focus your research on issues like food webs, reasons for endangerment, and interconnection of species. Use the Question Starters below to develop questions to help focus your research.
Slect one green word from the left column and pair it with a blue word from one of the other columns to start your question. On your own paper, work with your partner to develop five important questions you would like to research. Show your teacher your questions before moving on.
caused

effect

impact

value

should

 reasons

consequences

unique

influence

role
Why

Which

How

What
Compare your questions to these questions.

1. How is (your animal) unique? special? invaluable? (6-8)

2. What caused (your animal) to become endangered? (2-4)

3. Why should we save (your animal)? What is being done to save (your animal)? What can we do to save (your animal)? (4)

4. What role does (your animal) play in the food web? Name 1-2 predators of (your animal). Name 1-2 animals (your animal) preys upon. What plants or animals will die off or have population explosions if (your animal) becomes extinct?

5. Other interesting tidbits about (your animal). (8-10)

Revise your questions, if necessary. Show your questions to your teacher before moving ahead.