Research Questions May Call for Different Types of Information
With a partner, generate more questions which might be answered with each type of information.
Current news
 What is the current status of the fundraising efforts of the Paleo Project?
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How is the project being advertised?
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Historical background
 How did Native Americans use or view the fossils in the area?
 How and when did contemporary scientists first explore or study the area?
 ______________________________________________________________________________
Scientific facts
 What was the area like when the now-fossilized plants and animals were alive?
 Do the fossils represent just one time period or many all mixed up?
 ______________________________________________________________________________
Statistics
 What types of plant and animal fossils can be found near Fossil? Which are common? Rare?
 What are the patterns in visitor frequency over the last five years?
 ______________________________________________________________________________
Expert Opinion
 What are the obstacles to success?
 Is valuable knowledge being lost to science by letting the public dig and take fossils?
 ______________________________________________________________________________
Interviews
 What next steps are planned in advertising (fundraising, building, hiring, etc.)?
 What was the turning point in getting community support for the project?
 ______________________________________________________________________________
Surveys (of awareness, opinions, behavior, etc.)
 How has the project changed or affected the community?
 Have you heard of the Paleo Project in Fossil? What would cause you to visit?
 ______________________________________________________________________________
Maps
 Where are the fossil deposits in relation to the public lands or roads?
 Where are the nearest public visitor sites or attractions?
 ______________________________________________________________________________
Images
 What do the fossils look like that people commonly find?
 How will the Paleo Institute building be laid out?
 ______________________________________________________________________________
CIM Separated Lesson: Generating Research Questions—What’s Buried Behind the High School?