A research question is a clear, focused, and answerable query that identifies the main research problem or issue your research aims to address. It helps you:
- Define the scope of your research
- Guide your methodology and data collection
- Keep your work aligned with your objectives
A well-structured research question not only clarifies your dissertation or research paper but also helps readers quickly understand the purpose of your research.
What are the attributes of a good research question?
Here is a list of the attributes of a good research question:
- The research question should contain only a single problem.
- You should be able to find the answer using both primary and secondary data sources.
- You should be able to address it within the time limit and other constraints.
- The research question can attain in-depth and detailed results.
- The question should be relevant and applicable.
- The question should relate to your chosen field of research.
Research Question Examples
Here are examples of research questions from a given research problem:
| Research Problem Examples | Research Question Examples |
|---|---|
| A small-scale company, ‘A’ in the UK, cannot allocate a marketing budget for next year due to its poor revenue collection in the current year. | What practical steps can the company take to improve its revenue? |
| Many fresh graduates in the UK are working as freelancers despite having attained degrees from well-known academic institutions, but what is causing these youngsters to engage in this type of work? |
|
Essential Steps to Write Research Questions
Here are the steps you need to take to write a research question:
Step 1: Choose a broad topic
Every research journey begins with curiosity. Start by selecting a broad area of interest related to your field. As this is the first step, your dissertation topic should be general, as you’ll refine it later.
It could be a subject you have studied, a social issue you care about, or a gap you have noticed in existing research. Ask yourself:
- What dissertation topics genuinely interest me?
- Is this topic relevant to my field or community?
- Are there enough academic sources available?
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Step 2: Conduct preliminary research
Before you start writing your research question, do some background reading to understand what has already been studied. This step significantly helps you identify gaps, debates, or unexplored areas within your topic.
Review scholarly articles, reports, or case studies. Search academic databases, such as Google Scholar or JSTOR. Take notes on recurring themes or points of disagreement. Preliminary research ensures that your question is not repetitive and contributes something new to the field.
Step 3: Narrow down your topic
The next step is to narrow down your broad topic. A broad topic is too wide to study effectively. You need to narrow it down to a specific issue that’s practical and researchable. It can be done in terms of:
- Population
- Geographical location
- Time period
- Specific variable
A narrower topic gives you direction and makes your research realistic within your timeframe.
Step 4: Identify the problem or research gap
Once you have refined your topic, identify a problem or gap in the existing research. A good research question usually arises from something unknown or unresolved. A problem statement can also naturally lead to your research question. Ask yourself these questions:
- What do researchers still disagree about?
- What hasn’t been studied deeply yet?
- What practical issues need attention?
Step 5: Formulate the main research question
Now that you have identified the gap or problem, it’s time to write your primary research question. This is the core inquiry your entire project will aim to answer. It should be clear and concise, focused on a single issue, and possible to answer through research.
This main research question will define the purpose of your study and help shape your research objectives.
Step 6: Develop sub-questions
Once you have formulated the research questions, you can also develop sub-questions. These questions will help you break down your main question into smaller, manageable parts. They allow you to explore different dimensions of your topic in more detail.
Each sub-question should address a unique aspect of your main topic. Together, they will create a full picture of your research problem.
How to evaluate your research question?
Here are the questions that can help you evaluate your research question:
Q1: Do you have a clear research question?
It would help if you formed the research question after finding a research gap. This approach will enable the research to solve part of the problem.
Q2: Do you have a focused research question?
It is necessary that the research question is specific and relates to the central aim of your research.
Q3: Do you have a complex research question?
The research question cannot be answered with a simple yes or no, but requires in-depth analysis. It often begins with “How” or “Why”.
What are the steps to write research questions?
- Choose a broad topic
- Conduct preliminary research
- Narrow down your topic
- Identify the problem or research gap
- Formulate the main research question
- Develop sub-questions
Types of Research Questions
While there are various types of research, each has its own distinct research questions. Here are the types of research questions:
| Research Question Type | Formulation |
|---|---|
| Descriptive approach | What will be the properties of A? |
| Comparative approach | What are the similarities and differences between A and B? |
| Correlational approach | How can you correlate variables A and B? |
| Exploratory approach | Factors affecting the rate of C Do A and B also influence C? |
| Explanatory approach | What are the causes of C? How does B impact A? What is causing D? |
| Evaluation approach | How useful and influential is C? What role does B play? What are the advantages and disadvantages of A? |
| Action research | How can you improve X with different interventions? |
Criteria for Writing a Strong Research Question
If you have good research questions for the dissertation, research paper, or essay, you can perform the research and analyse your results more effectively. You can evaluate the strength of the research question with the help of the following criteria:
-
It must be intensive and researchable
A research question should cover a single issue. It shouldn’t include a subjective judgment. It can be answered with data analysis or research.
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It should be practical and specific
A research question should not include a course of action, policy, or solution. It should be well-defined and answerable within the limits of the research.
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It should be complicated and arguable
Your research question should not be simple to answer. It requires in-depth knowledge to find facts and provides scope for debate and deliberation.
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It should be unique and relevant
The question should lie in your field of study. Its results should be both contributory and unique.
Struggling to Develop Your Research Question?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Research questions are important because they define the focus, objectives, and direction of your research, ensuring clarity and consistency throughout your project.
- Does regular exercise improve mental well-being in adults over 50?
- How do online courses impact student engagement compared to traditional classes?
- What are the economic effects of prolonged pandemic lockdowns?
- How does early childhood nutrition influence academic performance in later life?
- Does urban green space reduce stress levels?
To write a research question, choose a broad topic, conduct preliminary research, narrow down your topic, identify the problem or research gap, formulate the main research question, and develop sub-questions.
Most academic papers have one research question supported by 2-4 sub-questions.
A research question asks what you want to find out; a hypothesis predicts what you expect to discover.
