Research Question Examples – Guide & Tips
Published by at August 13th, 2021 , Revised On October 3, 2024
One of the most important parts of your research paper, thesis or dissertation is a research question. A strong research question lays the foundation for an in-depth analysis and insightful conclusions. It serves as a guide for your research paper and states what you want and which problem you want to address.
In this blog, we will cover precise and properly structured research question examples, to facilitate your understanding and help you approach your work with confidence.
What Is A Research Question Example?
A research question example is a sample that provides a deeper understanding of how to write a research question. These examples can help first-time authors comprehend the structure and components of the question.
A research question’s length depends on the topic chosen and the specific requirements of the field. However, the length should not be the main focus. The ultimate goal is to convey the main problem statement being addressed.
Importance Of Research Question
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 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.
Research Questions for Dissertation Examples
Below are 10 examples of research questions that will enable you to develop research questions for your research. These examples will help you to check 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 the 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. |
List of Research Question Examples For Students
Effective research questions are clear and focused, and well-written. Many students struggle to craft such questions, which is why we have listed a few examples of different types of research questions. By examining these questions, students can have a clearer understanding of how to develop research questions of 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 1: What are the characteristics of ATP synthase?
Example 2: What factors contribute to homelessness in urban areas?
Example 3: What are the challenges faced by immigrants in learning a new language?
Example 4: What is the cause of increased violence among young adults?
Example 5: What are the spiritual experiences of individuals who practice medication?
Example 6: What are the experiences of patients with chronic illness in getting healthcare services?
Example 7: 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 1: What is the correlation between sleep duration and productivity levels among office workers?
Example 2: What percentage of people in the city support the ban on plastic bags?
Example 3: What is the relationship between TikTok usage and academic performance among college students?
Example 4: What is the effect of a high-protein diet on muscle growth in fitness individuals?
Example 5: What is the relationship between social media usage and depression in young adults?
Example 6: How does the consumption of dietary fibre affect blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes?
Example 7: What effect does internet speed have in 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 1: How do employees learn and respond to organisational change initiatives?
Example 2: What effects do teaching methods have on student’s perception of learning?
Example 3: How do individuals create their identities in relation to their cultural backgrounds?
Example 4: What are the variables that affect an individual’s perception of justice?
Example 5: How does media shape people’s perception of social issues?
Example 6: How do students construct their understanding of complex mathematical concepts?
Example 7: 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 1: How does discourse in health advertisements promote products and services?
Example 2: How is a discourse in criminal justice policy used to shape public attitudes towards justice and punishment?
Example 3: How is national identity constructed by the usage of discourse in flags and national anthems?
Example 4: How is discourse used to confront racial stereotypes?
Example 5: How is classroom discourse used to maintain power relations among professors and students?
Example 6: How does advertising discourse construct gender stereotypes?
Example 7: 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 1: What are the similarities and differences in political systems between democracies and authoritarian regimes?
Example 2: What are the differences between the economic policies of developed and under-developed countries?
Example 3: How do family structures differ in various cultures?
Example 4: What are the similarities and differences in gender roles across various cultures?
Example 5: What are the similarities and differences in the prevalence of chronic diseases across various countries?
Example 6: How do literary works from different time periods compare in terms of theme and prose?
Example 7: 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 examples:
Example 1: How does childhood trauma affect mental health?
Example 2: What is the impact of globalisation on local business?
Example 3: How does artificial intelligence affect job markets?
Example 4: What are the factors that contribute to the drop-outs in schools?
Example 5: How much do brands invest in digital marketing as compared to traditional advertising?
Example 6: What is the effect of climate change on biodiversity?
Example 7: What are the ethical limitations of genetic engineering?
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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 so that enough data can be collected to answer the question.
- How do interactive whiteboards impact student engagement?
- 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 feedback frequency affect student performance?
- How does urbanisation impact local microclimates?
- What factors influence water scarcity in Region X?
- 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?
- Why are certain regions’ biodiversity hotspots?
The three basic types of research questions are:
- Descriptive: Seeks to depict a phenomenon or issue. E.g., “What are the symptoms of depression?”
- Relational: Investigates relationships between variables. E.g., “Is there a correlation between stress and heart disease?”
- Causal: Determines cause and effect. E.g., “Does smoking cause lung cancer?”
Examples of research questions:
- How does social media influence self-esteem in adolescents?
- What are the economic impacts of climate change on agriculture?
- What factors contribute to employee job satisfaction in the tech industry?
- How does exercise frequency affect cardiovascular health?
- What is the relationship between sleep duration and academic performance in college students?
