Yale Poli Sci lost a giant in @NunoPMonteiro1, who passed away yesterday. Though I got to know Nuno over the years starting with my MA, I regret never getting to take any classes with him; I heard a workshop he gave on research questions, which I’d like to share. THREAD 1/13

Nuno had a way of occasionally speaking in perfect note form. I took down notes as he spoke, in October 2019, and can still remember his sentences and delivery. Here are the broad strokes. 2/13

First, you are working in a void! There is no structure, there are no deadlines. You want to be the first person to ask a new question, not the person to add the 500th footnote to a text. This isn’t a jab at theorists: find your question. There are five basic steps. 3/13

Step 1. What kind of project would you enjoy, complementary or confrontational? There are perhaps five ways to consider this. 4/13

I. Complicate conventional wisdom
II. Important but understudied question
III. Start from a theoretical or empirical puzzle
IV. Familiar phenomenon, novel approach
V. Unstick a debate that’s been “stuck” between parties in the literature 5/13

Step 2. Identify your question areas. Is there a nagging complaint that makes you mad? Something you aspire to write? A compelling hook or phenomenon? Get out of your research design mentality and ask simple questions, and think backwards from theses you like. 6/13

Step 3. Make a “question tree.” Start with broad questions and narrow them.
“What is diplomacy, how does it work?”
“How does diplomacy work in conflict,” and so on down.
Are you chasing a “big” question or working on smaller ones? If so, where does the “big” question fit? 7/13

Step 4. Write a presis.
What’s the question?
Why does it matter?
What’s your hunch?
What are the alternatives?
What counts as data in this context?
What does a short chapter list look like? 8/13

Step 5. Shop it around. Talk to people and consider their feedback! Choose committee members who can contribute to the whole dissertation, not just one chapter. It’s best to do this part early, before you invest emotions and resources. 9/13

The prospectus is, by definition, an act of fiction, because research changes. Recall Eisenhower: “Plans are useless, but planning is crucial.” There is a hubris-humility index — hubris to say a new/confrontational thing, humility to accept critiques and limitations. 10/13

Attempt these things before you read the literature too extensively. This is debated, but too much reading risks losing your voice. Question, then read and adjust as needed. 11/13

Finally, be flexible when the world tells you this question is wrong. Every great question faces problems; don’t drop a project at the first sign of clouds. Ask: is this to be overcome or do we revise the question? 12/13

This advice is debatable but I’ve turned to it over and over. Nuno was a truly great guy. The last time I saw him was February before lockdown. He had his fill of sushi and wine, spoke passionately of art and travel. It was a great evening and we will surely miss him. 13/13