Week15+-+Research+question

A scientific Study without a defined question or questions, would lack the backbone or the compass to make decissions along the way, and would also probably lack the support needed from the scientific community, as well as from the funding sources.

And yet, one of the most challenging parts or a research is the writing of the research question(s). Is it convincing enough of benefits to socoety? Does it show knowledge of the field? Is it constructive for the reserachers themselves, as they build their study?

Let's examine the research question(s) in an existing publication. But before I continue, allow me to remind you of the differnece between the "previous knowledge and observations" and the "current observations". There is no point asking a question that has already been addressed successfully, right?

This time, the article is abotu HIV infection in breast-fed infants. It's title: =Breast Milk Antibody Fights HIV but Needs Boost, Study **Finds** = [] = = = Question 1: What are previous observations / problems that had lead to the current reserach? = //(For exaxmple, in the fructose article, this was the greater body weight gain from fructose-rich foods)// = = = Question 2: Suggest a general question that the research is aimed to answer. This question can relate to the benefit of such a study for humans / environment. = //(For example, in the Fructose article from week 14, this would be something like "Why is fructose causeing a greater gain in body weight as compared to glucose?")// = = = = = Question 3: Suggest a specific question that was probably used to direct the study step by step. This question is formulated using the actual components of the system being investigated. = //(For example, assuming that the fructose effect goes through the insulin regulation, how is fructose sensed by the pancreas?")// = = = = = Question 3a: What do you think the researchers expected woudl be the outcome of their experiment. In other words - what was their hypothesis? = // (In the fructose article, it might have been - the researchers expected to find that the pancreas recognized fructose differently from glucose) //