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GGRD49: Land and Land Conflicts in the America

This guide will help you find a variety of sources for your final research essay assignment.

PCC Research Framework

Start developing your topic by identifying the major concepts in your topic or research question. Think of these as the most important aspects of your question. They are usually the nouns in your research question, such as people or groups, issues, or places. 

PCC Framework

Research Frame are used to generate and structure research questions. They are acyronyms representing the key elements that are needed in a research question to ensure it is specific and searchable. 

Using a framework, like PCC in a qualitative research question, can help you to

  • develop a focused, answerable research question
  • identify the main concepts within the research question
  • generate key terms for your search strategy.
PCC Framework Item Examples
P Population
  • What is the land conflict or land dispossession issue, problem or inequity?
  • What are the most important characteristics of the population?
C Concept
  • What is the phenomenon or experience you are curious about?
  • Are there any interventions or outcomes in this topic?
  • What are geography concepts that relate to this experience/event/intervention/outcome?
C Context
  • What are the relevant cultural, political, and/or socioeconomic factors?
  • What is the geographic location or setting of your topic?
  • What course reading(s) does this topic relate to?

Example

Research question: How has the land conflict of resolving mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows impact livelihood and social-well being of Grassy Narrows First Nation?

Population: Grassy Narrows First Nation

Concept: environmental racism, land conflict, land dispossession

Context: mercury poisoning, livelihood, social aspects, drinking water, suicide, First Nation's fishing industry, relates to the course reading "Thinking with Flint: Racial Liberalism and the Roots of American Water Tragedy by Ranganathan.

Your Turn

Using your Worksheet, describe your topic and fill out the PCC Framework.

Next Steps:

Use the PCC Framework to help you find resources that will further inform your topic. Reflect on revising your research question and consider if:

  • Does it include the issue?
  • Does it include who you are talking about?
  • Does it include a concept from the course?
  • Does it include a place/space of the topic?
  • Does it include words that describe the context?
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