Read the original and improved research questions.

Question

Original: What is the relationship between natural resources and the Industrial Revolution?

Improved: How did coal contribute to the Industrial Revolution in Pittsburgh in the 1880s?

Which of the basic question words helped improve this research question? Select four options.

how
what
when
where
why

Answer 1

The basic question words that helped improve the research question are:

1. How
2. When
3. Where
4. What

While "why" is often a useful question word, it does not appear in the improved research question. The others provide specificity and context that enhance the original question.