2. Turning a topic idea into a research aim and question

Introduction and learning objectives

Over the last few weeks, you should have conducted some scoping research and reading around your dissertation topic, this include the work you have been doing for your ARM1 assessment. In this session we will discuss how to bring the scoping research together and develop a preliminary research aim and research question. By the end of the work shop you will be able to:

  • Describe a what a research aim and a research question is.
  • Demonstrate how to develop a research aim and question from a period of scoping research.
  • Plan how you will develop your dissertation aim and question and write this process up in your ARM1 assignment.

Pre-workshop preparation

At the end of the last dissertation workshop you were asked to write a plan for how you are going to develop a dissertation topic by thinking about the following questions. 

  1. How are you going to get to know your topic OR choose a topic?
  2. What tools/activities are available to help you do this?
  3. When will you do this?

Materials that will help you develop your plan:

  • ARM 1 assessments (iBSc students, the annotated bibliography exercise is one that will be really helpful to you as it provides a process for you to map and explain the existing literture on a topic )
  • Your timetable
  • The study skills area on the QM library website
  • The Background to Issue, Rationale and Objectives section of the dissertation criteria document (see QM Plus)
  • The materials on the 'dissertation workshop 1' page. 

In advance of workshop 2 you are required to:
  1. Improve and finalise the plan of work you drafted to help you develop a dissertation topic (see above).
  2. Implement your topic development plan.
  3. After you have completed step 1 and 2, write a few words on this worksheet and bring it with you to the next dissertation workshop.

Remember! This activity will also help you develop your research proposal assignment for ARM1. 

Workshop materials and activities

Here are the workshop slides. Below are the three exercises we attempted in the workshop. Please repeat them in your own time to help you come up with a set of tasks and a schedule to help you develop the 'Introduction and background/rationale' and 'Research aims, question and objectives' sections of your ARM1 proposal. 

Remember, a well researched aim and question will lead to a logical and feasible methodological approach.  Try to work through these tasks in pairs. Giving and receiving feedback on your work is an excellent way to learn.


Exercise 1


Exercise 2


exercise 3

Useful materials and resources

  • The assessment information for ARM1
  • The ‘Accessing Support’ area of the QM Library Services Academic Skills pages
  • The 'Background to Issue, Rationale and Objectives' section of the dissertation criteria