1.2 Feasibility & Scope

Feasibility

A research question must be feasible — answerable with the time, access, skills, and resources you actually have. An unrealistic question can't be completed.

Scope

Scope is how broad or narrow the question is. Too broad and you can't do it justice; too narrow and there's little to investigate. Aim for a manageable middle.

Operationalizing

Operationalize vague terms into measurable ones. 'Does music help students?' must specify which music, which students, and what 'help' means (grades? focus?).

Key terms

Feasibility

answerable with your time, access, skills, resources

Scope

how broad or narrow the question is

Manageable middle

not too broad, not too narrow

Operationalize

define vague terms into measurable ones

Example

specify which music, which students, what 'help'

Try an AP-style question

A feasible project is one that…

1. requires a large, fully equipped laboratory
2. needs years of outside grant funding
3. can be done with the time and resources available
4. has no clear or focused research question