The Research Question we will pursue for this guided research:

The formation of ozone O₃ from atmospheric oxygen O₂ requires energy. If high day time temperatures can provide that energy, will days with higher day time temperatures produce higher levels of ground-level ozone?

So how did we come up this this research question?

Science depends on several assumptions about our universe; such as the universe has regular patterns that human beings can comprehend. Theories are the tentative explanations of our understanding of these patterns and how phenomena may operate in the universe. The pursuit of understanding requires that the researcher acquire and foster certain attitudes; such as questioning, disciplined curiosity, open-mindedness, with-holding judgment, respect for evidence balanced with skepticism, intellectual honesty, a sense of responsibility, and an understanding of one's competence and limitations.

Before planning an investigation, the researcher first recognizes a question or a problem to be studied. Although questions need not be derived from a theory, theories often guide researchers in predicting events or outcomes of research which ultimately support or deny the explanation. You have spent time investigating ground-level ozone and you are ready to state a problem in a more formal manner. Questions about observable events related to ozone are the basis of our work.

Research Ideas

Some interesting research area about ozone would include:
• The effects of humidity, temperature, clouds, or solar radiation on ozone production.
• Determination of diurnal (day/night cycle) and levels of ozone.
• Seasonal variations and the changes in ozone levels.
• Seasonal weather changes on the movement of ozone.
• Topographic and vegetation differences referred to as "land use" and the production of ozone.
• The health effects of ozone on animals, including humans.

As you have reviewed the information and worked with ground-level ozone you may have come up with some of your own ideas for research. Maybe you made a model of how ozone works in the environment. Your ideas should be added to a growing list of ideas. These ideas and questions can grow into research areas.

Enter a new research idea and/or your comments in the boxes below. This way you can help the KanCRN community develop new research interests. Click on the links to read additional research areas submitted by others and feel free to respond to a previous research ideas posted here.

Formalizing your Research Question

Your research question should evolve as you go through the research process. It is in the center of the V-diagram so that as you take each step of the process, you will revisit your question. This will help focus your work and it will also help you evaluate whether your question goes to the heart of what you want to know. The ideal question is one that will yield the most relevant and reliable information with the least expense and effort.

The Research we will pursue for this guided research:

The formation of ozone O₃ from atmospheric oxygen O₂ requires energy. If higher day time temperatures can provide that energy than on days with higher day time temperatures there should be higher levels of ground-level ozone.

Notice that this is in the form of a statement. It makes the prediction of what we expect to observe, if our statement is correct!

To avoid designing experiments around uncertain or vague research questions, continue to gather as much information as possible, Background Information as a part of this guided research. This is usually is accomplished through library research by consulting the card catalog and any available journals or abstracts in the field of interest. Internet searches are also valuable but as always, evaluate the source of the information. Anyone who does not bother to review previous literature runs the risk of needlessly duplicating effort or mistakes. After you have done your information search you should revisit your research question and determine if changes need to be made.