Hierarchy+of+Research+Questions

There are examples of nested research questions in the two NSF funded proposals that you are assigned to read this week. Here is a from the proposal to study the scientific community working on nitrogen fixation. You should have three levels of questions: 1) Social theory questions //These are questions that need to be asked again and again, across projects.// You should have 1-4 social theory questions for your project. Example: How does capitalism undergird and undermine sustainability initiatives?2) Overarching empirical questions These are questions that you can answer through your research, which will shed light on your social theory question. //You should have many of these under each social theory question.// Examples: What constrains and shapes tranfer of sustainability expertise between Ghana and the United States? 3) Interview questionsThese are open-ended questions that you can ask interviewees. They should not be questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." //The best interview questions help an interviewee articulate something that otherwise would be difficult for the interviewee to put into words.// Example: When did you become involved in sustainable development initiatives in Ghana, and what in your background prepared you for this? What have been the most frustrating -- and most rewarding -- moments in your work?