Coming up with a strong research question is often considered the hardest part of the research process. Whether you write a research paper, thesis, or dissertation, a clear and focused research question sets the stage for an in-depth analysis and meaningful investigation.
This blog covers research question examples to help students across different paths, illustrating how a well-crafted question can narrow your focus, define your objectives, and make your study more structured and impactful.
Why is the research question important?
A research question is a critical component of research because of the following reasons:
- It is central to research as it guides the research design, data collection, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of the results.
- The paper relies on the research question to properly address the evaluated research problem and inform readers about the research topic. Without a question, the readers and researchers may face difficulty in understanding the purpose of your research.
- It helps researchers understand the quantity and type of data needed to answer the question sufficiently.
Moreover, it provides a framework for drawing conclusions and builds the credibility of the research design.
Dissertation Research Questions Examples
These examples will help you determine whether your chosen research questions can be addressed or whether they are too broad to find a conclusive answer:
| Research Question | Explanation |
| 1. How gifted children aren’t having their needs met in schools. | This research question already reflects the results and makes an assumption. The researcher can reshape the question objectively: ‘A review of the claim that genius children require more attention at prepubertal age in school. |
| 2. Preschool children on gallery visits: which workshop pedagogies best help them engage with artworks at Tate Britain? | It is a better question, has a clear perspective, and has a single focus. It has a precise location to relate to other scenarios. |
| 3. A review of support for children with dyslexia in schools in the UK. | This question is uncertain and ambitious to be put into practice. How many schools are in the United Kingdom? Is there any age filter? How can this be complied with and measured? It indicates that the question was not specific enough to answer and involved some constraints. |
| 4. A review of the Son-Rise and Lovaas methods for helping children with autism: which is most effective for encouraging verbal communication with a small group of seven-year-olds? | It is a clear and focused question that cites specific instances to be reviewed. It doesn’t require any intervention. |
| 5. Learning in museums: how well is it done? | It is an indefinite and uncertain question because it initiates several questions. What type of learning? Who will learn? Which museum(s)? Who will be the sample population? |
| 6. How well do school children manage their dyslexia in maintained primary schools? A case study of a Key Stage 2 boy. | This study has a precise explanation, but it doesn’t have a narrow approach. It will be obvious, feasible, and clear if the students provide a researchable rationale. If the conclusion supports the case, then it will be a good contribution to the current practice. |
| 7. An investigation into the problems of children whose mothers work full-time. | This research question also makes an assumption. A better question will be – ‘A survey of full-time employed parents, and their children’. If you still find it unsatisfactory, you can add a specific location to improve the first version. |
Looking for dissertation help?
Research Prospect to the rescue then!
We have expert writers on our team who are skilled at helping students with dissertations across a
variety of disciplines. Guaranteeing 100% satisfaction!
List of Research Question Examples For Students
Here are some different types of research questions that can help you understand how to develop research questions across all disciplines:
Examples of Qualitative Research Questions
Qualitative research questions focus on specific areas of study or broader themes. They are adaptable and flexible, unlike quantitative research questions. There are certain categories of qualitative research questions, such as contextual, descriptive, evaluative, explanatory, and exploratory.
Let’s discuss a few examples of qualitative research questions:
Example 8: What are the characteristics of ATP synthase?
Example 9: What factors contribute to homelessness in urban areas?
Example 10: What are the challenges faced by immigrants in learning a new language?
Example 11: What is the cause of increased violence among young adults?
Example 12: What are the spiritual experiences of individuals who practice meditation?
Example 13: What are the experiences of patients with chronic illness in getting healthcare services?
Example 14: Is it possible that VEGF has an effect on plant photosynthesis?
Examples of Quantitative Research Questions
Quantitative research questions measure and quantify variables to identify relationships and correlations. These questions aim to answer the “how many” or “how much” aspects of a subject, and are widely used in fields that involve statistical analysis and numerical data.
Here are seven examples of quantitative research questions:
Example 15: What is the correlation between sleep duration and productivity levels among office workers?
Example 16: What percentage of people in the city support the ban on plastic bags?
Example 17: What is the relationship between TikTok usage and academic performance among college students?
Example 18: What is the effect of a high-protein diet on muscle growth in fitness individuals?
Example 19: What is the relationship between social media usage and depression in young adults?
Example 20: How does the consumption of dietary fibre affect blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes?
Example 21: What effect does internet speed have on increasing work productivity in the IT sector?
Constructivist Research Questions Examples
Constructive research questions are designed to explore an individual’s interaction with the world and how they create meaning through it. They examine the process that develops an individual’s understanding, perspectives, and knowledge.
Here are some examples of constructivist research questions:
Example 22: How do employees learn and respond to organisational change initiatives?
Example 23: What effects do teaching methods have on students’ perception of learning?
Example 24: How do individuals create their identities in relation to their cultural backgrounds?
Example 25: What are the variables that affect an individual’s perception of justice?
Example 26: How does the media shape people’s perception of social issues?
Example 27: How do students construct their understanding of complex mathematical concepts?
Example 28: What are the challenges faced by marginalised groups in media production?
Discourse Analysis Research Question Examples
Understanding how language is used to construct meaning, power dynamics, and social identities in particular contexts is the main purpose of discourse analysis research questions. They are also known as discursive research questions. They aim to investigate the way language shapes ideologies and social structures.
Some popular examples of discourse analysis research questions are:
Example 29: How does discourse in health advertisements promote products and services?
Example 30: How is a discourse in criminal justice policy used to shape public attitudes towards justice and punishment?
Example 31: How is national identity constructed by the usage of discourse in flags and national anthems?
Example 32: How is discourse used to confront racial stereotypes?
Example 33: How is classroom discourse used to maintain power relations among professors and students?
Example 34: How does advertising discourse construct gender stereotypes?
Example 35: How is discourse in political campaigns used to obtain support for specific candidates?
Comparative Research Questions Examples
Comparative research questions aim to identify the differences and similarities between two cases, phenomena, and groups. These questions compare and contrast different variables to identify trends, practices, and relationships.
Let’s explore some examples to gain a better understanding:
Example 36: What are the similarities and differences in political systems between democracies and authoritarian regimes?
Example 37: What are the differences between the economic policies of developed and underdeveloped countries?
Example 38: How do family structures differ in various cultures?
Example 39: What are the similarities and differences in gender roles across various cultures?
Example 40: What are the similarities and differences in the prevalence of chronic diseases across various countries?
Example 41: How do literary works from different time periods compare in terms of theme and prose?
Example 42: What is the biodiversity comparison between ecosystems of various biomes?
Descriptive Research Question Examples
Descriptive research questions are questions used in research to gain a clearer picture of a particular topic or phenomenon. These questions focus on specific characteristics, conditions, and attributes of the topic that is being studied.
Let’s study a few examples of descriptive research questions:
Example 43: How does childhood trauma affect mental health?
Example 44: What is the impact of globalisation on local businesses?
Example 45: How does artificial intelligence affect job markets?
Example 46: What are the factors that contribute to the drop-outs in schools?
Example 47: How much do brands invest in digital marketing as compared to traditional advertising?
Example 48: What is the effect of climate change on biodiversity?
Example 49: What are the ethical limitations of genetic engineering?
How Can We Help You with Research Questions?
If you are still unsure about writing research questions, consult professional dissertation or thesis writing services. Whether you need help with only developing research questions or any other aspect of your dissertation paper, they will significantly help you achieve your desired grades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research question examples in the field of psychology are:
- How does bipolar disorder’s initial age affect its progression and treatment?
- How does childhood trauma impact the advancement of borderline personality disorder in adulthood?
- What are the long-term psychological effects of being the victim of a violent crime?
Research question examples in natural sciences are:
- What are the effects of ocean acidification on the biodiversity of coral reef ecosystems?
- How does air pollution impact respiratory well-being in individuals living in polluted areas?
- What are the effects of organic and inorganic fertilisers on soil and crop health?
A good research question is focused, clear, specific, and relevant to the topic and subject. It should also be researchable, allowing for the collection of sufficient data to answer the question.
The three basic types of research questions are:
- Descriptive: Seeks to depict a phenomenon or issue, such as “What are the symptoms of depression?”
- Relational: Investigates relationships between variables, such as “Is there a correlation between stress and heart disease?”
- Causal: Determines cause and effect, such as “Does smoking cause lung cancer?”
- Does peer tutoring improve maths proficiency?
- How does classroom seating arrangement influence student participation?
- What’s the effect of gamified learning on student motivation?
- Does integrating technology in lessons enhance critical thinking skills?
- How does urbanisation impact local microclimates?
- How do migration patterns correlate with economic disparities?
- What’s the relationship between deforestation and soil erosion in Area Y?
- How have coastlines changed over the past decade?
