Luker's Four Features

Luker’s discussion on the four features of a true research question really helped me put things into perspective. First, the research question proposes a set of relationships between concepts. Second, understanding that relationship in order to helps us explain something important about social life. Third, the research question allows a range of possible answers which can be examined to see if answers fit the data. Lastly, if properly answered will advance the state of play in one or more intellectual conversations that is already happening in some area of the academic world. Luker further states that just because the research you have in mind is of interest does not mean it is the right question; you have to come up with a clear question that fits these four features. Always narrowing your focus and asking the right questions, who cares? This gave me a clear understanding of how to frame my question and to see the relationship of the concepts involved.

Examining the sample SSHRC proposal on Cyborg, our group found that it was kind of unusual that the person introduced themselves as being in a wheelchair from the start. Another surprising element was that the proposal didn’t even discuss how the research was going to be conducted, no methodology... I thought it was one of the criteria's!