Cultural Identity and The Research Question

by   |  03.22.10  |  Research and Cultural Identity, Thesis

Consider the following guidance when working on Step 1 of the Research Essay Project:

Many different factors can work independently or in combination to construct a person’s or primary text’s understanding of cultural identity, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Ethnicity
  • Gender
  • Religion
  • Socioeconomic status or class
  • Education
  • Occupation
  • Political ideology
  • Sexual orientation
  • Geographic location
  • Nationality
  • Language

The cultural identities noted above can be explored in a number of ways as well, including how cultural identity affects understandings of various issues, such as:

  • Law and public policy
  • Environmental and technological issues
  • Community involvement and service
  • Access to employment, education, and healthcare
  • Economics and global resources
  • Immigration, assimilation, and separation
  • Ecumenism and sectarianism

The Research Question

In addition to the examples and guidance on the assignment sheet for Step 1, please read the section from your Sequence textbook on generating research questions (261-64). Additional guidance on research questions can be found on the following links:

When developing a research question, the key is specificity. Narrowing the focus is, generally, the best approach.