Are patterns apparent in the immigration/migration of African Americans during the years after the Civil War?
So how did we come up this research question? Research depends on several assumptions; such as there are regular patterns that we can comprehend. Theories are the tentative explanations of our understanding of these patterns and how and why these patterns may occur. 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 where your ancestors came from and you are ready to state a problem in a more
