-Is the target population narrow or broad?
-Is the target population vulnerable?
-What are the eligibility criteria?
-What is the most appropriate recruitment strategy?
Occasionally, the intended population of the study needs to be modified, in order to overcome any potential ethical issues, and/or for the sake of convenience and feasibility of the project. Yet, the researcher must be aware that the external validity of the results may be compromised. As an illustration, in a randomised clinical trial, authors compared the ease of tracheal tube insertion between C-MAC video laryngoscope and direct laryngoscopy, in patients presenting to the emergency department with an indication of rapid sequence intubation. However, owing to the existence of ethical concerns, a substantial amount of patients requiring emergency tracheal intubation, including patients with major maxillofacial trauma and ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, had to be excluded from the trial.[ 14 ] In fact, the design of prospective studies to explore this subset of patients can be challenging, not only because of ethical considerations, but because of the low incidence of these cases. In another study, Metterlein et al . compared the glottis visualisation among five different supraglottic airway devices, using fibreroptic-guided tracheal intubation in an adult population. Despite that the study was aimed to explore the ease of intubation in patients with anticipated difficult airway (thus requiring fibreoptic tracheal intubation), authors decided to enrol patients undergoing elective laser treatment for genital condylomas, as a strategy to hasten the recruitment process and optimise resources.[ 15 ]
Anaesthetic interventions can be classified into pharmacological (experimental treatment) and nonpharmacological. Among nonpharmacological interventions, the most common include anaesthetic techniques, monitoring instruments and airway devices. For example, it would be appropriate to examine the ease of insertion of Supreme™ LMA, when compared with ProSeal™ LMA. Notwithstanding, a common mistake is the tendency to be focused on the data aimed to be collected (the “stated” objective), rather than the question that needs to be answered (the “latent” objective).[ 1 , 4 ] In one clinical trial, authors stated: “we compared the Supreme™ and ProSeal™ LMAs in infants by measuring their performance characteristics, including insertion features, ventilation parameters, induced changes in haemodynamics, and rates of postoperative complications”.[ 10 ] Here, the research question has been centered on the measurements (insertion characteristics, haemodynamic variables, LMA insertion characteristics, ventilation parameters) rather than the clinical problem that needs to be addressed (is Supreme™ LMA easier to insert than ProSeal™ LMA?).
Comparators in clinical research can also be pharmacological (e.g., gold standard or placebo) or nonpharmacological. Typically, not more than two comparator groups are included in a clinical trial. Multiple comparisons should be generally avoided, unless there is enough statistical power to address the end points of interest, and statistical analyses have been adjusted for multiple testing. For instance, in the aforementioned study of Metterlein et al .,[ 15 ] authors compared five supraglottic airway devices by recruiting only 10--12 participants per group. In spite of the authors' recommendation of using two supraglottic devices based on the results of the study, there was no mention of statistical adjustments for multiple comparisons, and given the small sample size, larger clinical trials will undoubtedly be needed to confirm or refute these findings.[ 15 ]
A clear formulation of the primary outcome results of vital importance in clinical research, as the primary statistical analyses, including the sample size calculation (and therefore, the estimation of the effect size and statistical power), will be derived from the main outcome of interest. While it is clear that using more than one primary outcome would not be appropriate, it would be equally inadequate to include multiple point measurements of the same variable as the primary outcome (e.g., visual analogue scale for pain at 1, 2, 6, and 12 h postoperatively).
Composite outcomes, in which multiple primary endpoints are combined, may make it difficult to draw any conclusions based on the study findings. For example, in a clinical trial, 200 children undergoing ophthalmic surgery were recruited to explore the incidence of respiratory adverse events, when comparing desflurane with sevoflurane, following the removal of flexible LMA during the emergence of the anaesthesia. The primary outcome was the number of respiratory events, including breath holding, coughing, secretions requiring suction, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, and mild desaturation.[ 16 ] Should authors had claimed a significant difference between these anaesthetic volatiles, it would have been important to elucidate whether those differences were due to serious adverse events, like laryngospasm or bronchospasm, or the results were explained by any of the other events (e.g., secretions requiring suction). While it is true that clinical trials evaluating the occurrence of adverse events like laryngospasm/bronchospasm,[ 16 , 17 ] or life-threating complications following a tracheal intubation (e.g., inadvertent oesophageal placement, dental damage or injury of the larynx/pharynx)[ 14 ] are almost invariably underpowered, because the incidence of such events is expected to be low, subjective outcomes like coughing or secretions requiring suction should be avoided, as they are highly dependent on the examiner's criteria.[ 16 ]
Secondary outcomes are useful to document potential side effects (e.g., gastric insufflation after placing a supraglottic device), and evaluate the adherence (say, airway leak pressure) and safety of the intervention (for instance, occurrence, or laryngospasm/bronchospasm).[ 17 ] Nevertheless, the problem of addressing multiple secondary outcomes without the adequate statistical power is habitual in medical literature. A good illustration of this issue can be found in a study evaluating the performance of two supraglottic devices in 50 anaesthetised infants and neonates, whereby authors could not draw any conclusions in regard to potential differences in the occurrence of complications, because the sample size calculated made the study underpowered to explore those differences.[ 17 ]
Among PICOT components, the time frame is the most likely to be omitted or inappropriate.[ 1 , 12 ] There are two key aspects of the time component that need to be clearly specified in the research question: the time of measuring the outcome variables (e.g. visual analogue scale for pain at 1, 2, 6, and 12 h postoperatively), and the duration of each measurement (when indicated). The omission of these details in the study protocol might lead to substantial differences in the methodology used. For instance, if a study is designed to compare the insertion times of three different supraglottic devices, and researchers do not specify the exact moment of LMA insertion in the clinical trial protocol (i.e., at the anaesthetic induction after reaching a BIS index < 60), placing an LMA with insufficient depth of anaesthesia would have compromised the internal validity of the results, because inserting a supraglottic device in those patients would have resulted in failed attempts and longer insertion times.[ 10 ]
A well-elaborated research question may not necessarily be a good question. The proposed study also requires being achievable from both ethical and realistic perspectives, interesting and useful to the clinical practice, and capable to formulate new hypotheses, that may contribute to the generation of knowledge. Researchers have developed an effective way to convey the message of how to build a good research question, that is usually recalled under the acronym of FINER (feasible, interesting, novel, ethical and relevant).[ 5 , 6 , 7 ] Table 2 highlights the main characteristics of FINER criteria.[ 7 ]
Main features of FINER criteria (Feasibility, interest, novelty, ethics, and relevance) to formulate a good research question. Adapted from Cummings et al .[ 7 ]
Component | Criteria |
---|---|
Feasible | -Ensures adequacy of research design -Guarantees adequate funding -Recruits target population strategically -Aims an achievable sample size -Prioritises measurable outcomes -Optimises human and technical resources -Accounts for clinicians commitment -Procures high adherence to the treatment and low rate of dropouts -Opts for appropriate and affordable frame time |
Interesting | -Engages the interest of principal investigators -Attracts the attention of readers -Presents a different perspective of the problem |
Novel | -Provides different findings -Generates new hypotheses -Improves methodological flaws of existing studies -Resolves a gap in the existing literature |
Ethical | -Complies with local ethical committees -Safeguards the main principles of ethical research -Guarantees safety and reversibility of side effects |
Relevant | -Generates new knowledge -Contributes to improve clinical practice -Stimulates further research -Provides an accurate answer to a specific research question |
Although it is clear that any research project should commence with an accurate literature interpretation, in many instances it represents the start and the end of the research: the reader will soon realise that the answer to several questions can be easily found in the published literature.[ 5 ] When the question overcomes the test of a thorough literature review, the project may become novel (there is a gap in the knowledge, and therefore, there is a need for new evidence on the topic) and relevant (the paper may contribute to change the clinical practice). In this context, it is important to distinguish the difference between statistical significance and clinical relevance: in the aforementioned study of Oba et al .,[ 10 ] despite the means of insertion times were reported as significant for the Supreme™ LMA, as compared with ProSeal™ LMA, the difference found in the insertion times (528 vs. 486 sec, respectively), although reported as significant, had little or no clinical relevance.[ 10 ] Conversely, a statistically significant difference of 12 sec might be of clinical relevance in neonates weighing <5 kg.[ 17 ] Thus, statistical tests must be interpreted in the context of a clinically meaningful effect size, which should be previously defined by the researcher.
Among FINER criteria, there are two potential barriers that may prevent the successful conduct of the project and publication of the manuscript: feasibility and ethical aspects. These obstacles are usually related to the target population, as discussed above. Feasibility refers not only to the budget but also to the complexity of the design, recruitment strategy, blinding, adequacy of the sample size, measurement of the outcome, time of follow-up of participants, and commitment of clinicians, among others.[ 3 , 7 ] Funding, as a component of feasibility, may also be implicated in the ethical principles of clinical research, because the choice of the primary study question may be markedly influenced by the specific criteria demanded in the interest of potential funders.
Discussing ethical issues with local committees is compulsory, as rules applied might vary among countries.[ 18 ] Potential risks and benefits need to be carefully weighed, based upon the four principles of respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.[ 19 ] Although many of these issues may be related to the population target (e.g., conducting a clinical trial in patients with ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation would be inappropriate, as would be anaesthetising patients undergoing elective LASER treatment for condylomas, to examine the performance of supraglottic airway devices),[ 14 , 15 ] ethical conflicts may also arise from the intervention (particularly those involving the occurrence of side effects or complications, and their potential for reversibility), comparison (e.g., use of placebo or sham procedures),[ 19 ] outcome (surrogate outcomes should be considered in lieu of long term outcomes), or time frame (e.g., unnecessary longer exposition to an intervention). Thus, FINER criteria should not be conceived without a concomitant examination of the PICOT checklist, and consequently, PICOT framework and FINER criteria should not be seen as separated components, but rather complementary ingredients of a good research question.
Undoubtedly, no research project can be conducted if it is deemed unfeasible, and most institutional review boards would not be in a position to approve a work with major ethical problems. Nonetheless, whether or not the findings are interesting, is a subjective matter. Engaging the attention of readers also depends upon a number of factors, including the manner of presenting the problem, the background of the topic, the intended audience, and the reader's expectations. Furthermore, the interest is usually linked to the novelty and relevance of the topic, and it is worth nothing that editors and peer reviewers of high-impact medical journals are usually reluctant to accept any publication, if there is no novelty inherent to the research hypothesis, or there is a lack of relevance in the results.[ 11 ] Nevertheless, a considerable number of papers have been published without any novelty or relevance in the topic addressed. This is probably reflected in a recent survey, according to which only a third of respondents declared to have read thoroughly the most recent papers downloaded, and at least half of those manuscripts remained unread.[ 20 ] The same study reported that up to one-third of papers examined remained uncited after 5 years of publication, and only 20% of papers accounted for 80% of the citations.[ 20 ]
Formulating a good research question can be fascinating, albeit challenging, even for experienced investigators. While it is clear that clinical experience in combination with the accurate interpretation of literature and teamwork are essential to develop new ideas, the formulation of a clinical problem usually requires the compliance with PICOT framework in conjunction with FINER criteria, in order to translate a clinical dilemma into a researchable question. Working in the right environment with the adequate support of experienced researchers, will certainly make a difference in the generation of knowledge. By doing this, a lot of time will be saved in the search of the primary study question, and undoubtedly, there will be more chances to become a successful researcher.
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Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey
A sound and effective research question is a key element that must be identified and pinned down before researchers can even begin their research study or work. A strong research question lays the foundation for your entire study, guiding your investigation and shaping your findings. Hence, it is critical that researchers spend considerable time assessing and refining the research question based on in-depth reading and comprehensive literature review. In this article, we will discuss how to write a strong research question and provide you with some good examples of research questions across various disciplines.
Table of Contents
A research question plays a crucial role in driving scientific inquiry, setting the direction and purpose of your study, and guiding your entire research process. By formulating a clear and focused research question, you lay the foundation for your investigation, ensuring that your research remains on track and aligned with your objectives so you can make meaningful contribution to the existing body of knowledge. A well-crafted research question also helps you define the scope of your study and identify the appropriate methodologies and data collection techniques to employ.
A good research question possesses several key components that contribute to the quality and impact of your study. Apart from providing a clear framework to generate meaningful results, a well-defined research question allows other researchers to understand the purpose and significance of your work. So, when working on your research question, incorporate the following elements:
A first step that will help save time and effort is knowing what your aims are and thinking about a few problem statements on the area or aspect one wants to study or do research on. Contemplating these statements as one undertakes more progressive reading can help the researcher in reassessing and fine-tuning the research question. This can be done over time as they read and learn more about the research topic, along with a broad literature review and parallel discussions with peer researchers and supervisors. In some cases, a researcher can have more than one research question if the research being undertaken is a PhD thesis or dissertation, but try not to cover multiple concerns on a topic.
A strong research question must be researchable, original, complex, and relevant. Here are five simple steps that can make the entire process easier.
Remember to adapt your research question to suit your purpose, whether it’s exploratory, descriptive, comparative, experimental, qualitative, or quantitative. Embrace the iterative nature of the research process, continually evaluating and refining your question as you progress. Here are some good examples of research questions across various disciplines.
Exploratory research question examples
Descriptive research question examples
Comparative research question examples
Experimental research question examples
Qualitative research question examples
Quantitative research question examples
With these simple guidelines and inspiring examples of research questions, you are equipped to embark on your research journey with confidence and purpose. Here’s wishing you all the best for your future endeavors!
References:
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The first step in any research project is framing the research question. It can be considered the core of any systematic investigation as the research outcomes are tied to asking the right questions. Thus, this primary interrogation point sets the pace for your research as it helps collect relevant and insightful information that ultimately influences your work.
Typically, the research question guides the stages of inquiry, analysis, and reporting. Depending on the use of quantifiable or quantitative data, research questions are broadly categorized into quantitative or qualitative research questions. Both types of research questions can be used independently or together, considering the overall focus and objectives of your research.
A research question is a clear, focused, concise, and arguable question on which your research and writing are centered. 1 It states various aspects of the study, including the population and variables to be studied and the problem the study addresses. These questions also set the boundaries of the study, ensuring cohesion.
Designing the research question is a dynamic process where the researcher can change or refine the research question as they review related literature and develop a framework for the study. Depending on the scale of your research, the study can include single or multiple research questions.
A good research question has the following features:
A poorly formulated research question poses several risks. 1
Now that you know “What is a research question?”, let’s look at the different types of research questions.
Depending on the type of research to be done, research questions can be classified broadly into quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies. Knowing the type of research helps determine the best type of research question that reflects the direction and epistemological underpinnings of your research.
The structure and wording of quantitative 2 and qualitative research 3 questions differ significantly. The quantitative study looks at causal relationships, whereas the qualitative study aims at exploring a phenomenon.
Quantitative research questions can be further categorized into descriptive, comparative, and relationship, as explained in the Table below.
Descriptive research questions | These measure the responses of a study’s population toward a particular question or variable. Common descriptive research questions will begin with “How much?”, “How regularly?”, “What percentage?”, “What time?”, “What is?” Research question example: How often do you buy mobile apps for learning purposes? |
Comparative research questions | These investigate differences between two or more groups for an outcome variable. For instance, the researcher may compare groups with and without a certain variable. Research question example: What are the differences in attitudes towards online learning between visual and Kinaesthetic learners? |
Relationship research questions | These explore and define trends and interactions between two or more variables. These investigate relationships between dependent and independent variables and use words such as “association” or “trends. Research question example: What is the relationship between disposable income and job satisfaction amongst US residents? |
Qualitative research questions are adaptable, non-directional, and more flexible. It concerns broad areas of research or more specific areas of study to discover, explain, or explore a phenomenon. These are further classified as follows:
Exploratory Questions | These question looks to understand something without influencing the results. The aim is to learn more about a topic without attributing bias or preconceived notions. Research question example: What are people’s thoughts on the new government? |
Experiential questions | These questions focus on understanding individuals’ experiences, perspectives, and subjective meanings related to a particular phenomenon. They aim to capture personal experiences and emotions. Research question example: What are the challenges students face during their transition from school to college? |
Interpretive Questions | These questions investigate people in their natural settings to help understand how a group makes sense of shared experiences of a phenomenon. Research question example: How do you feel about ChatGPT assisting student learning? |
Mixed-methods studies use both quantitative and qualitative research questions to answer your research question. Mixed methods provide a complete picture than standalone quantitative or qualitative research, as it integrates the benefits of both methods. Mixed methods research is often used in multidisciplinary settings and complex situational or societal research, especially in the behavioral, health, and social science fields.
A good research question should be clear and focused to guide your research. It should synthesize multiple sources to present your unique argument, and should ideally be something that you are interested in. But avoid questions that can be answered in a few factual statements. The following are the main attributes of a good research question.
The importance of research questions cannot be understated. When drafting a research question, use the following frameworks to guide the components of your question to ease the process. 4
Those struggling to understand how to write a research question, these simple steps can help you simplify the process of writing a research question.
Topic selection | Choose a broad topic, such as “learner support” or “social media influence” for your study. Select topics of interest to make research more enjoyable and stay motivated. |
Preliminary research | The goal is to refine and focus your research question. The following strategies can help: Skim various scholarly articles. List subtopics under the main topic. List possible research questions for each subtopic. Consider the scope of research for each of the research questions. Select research questions that are answerable within a specific time and with available resources. If the scope is too large, repeat looking for sub-subtopics. |
Audience | When choosing what to base your research on, consider your readers. For college papers, the audience is academic. Ask yourself if your audience may be interested in the topic you are thinking about pursuing. Determining your audience can also help refine the importance of your research question and focus on items related to your defined group. |
Generate potential questions | Ask open-ended “how?” and “why?” questions to find a more specific research question. Gap-spotting to identify research limitations, problematization to challenge assumptions made by others, or using personal experiences to draw on issues in your industry can be used to generate questions. |
Review brainstormed questions | Evaluate each question to check their effectiveness. Use the FINER model to see if the question meets all the research question criteria. |
Construct the research question | Multiple frameworks, such as PICOT and PEA, are available to help structure your research question. The frameworks listed below can help you with the necessary information for generating your research question. |
Framework | Attributes of each framework |
FINER | Feasible Interesting Novel Ethical Relevant |
PICOT | Population or problem Intervention or indicator being studied Comparison group Outcome of interest Time frame of the study |
PEO | Population being studied Exposure to preexisting conditions Outcome of interest |
The following are some bad and good research question examples
Unclear: How does social media affect student growth? |
Clear: What effect does the daily use of Twitter and Facebook have on the career development goals of students? |
Explanation: The first research question is unclear because of the vagueness of “social media” as a concept and the lack of specificity. The second question is specific and focused, and its answer can be discovered through data collection and analysis. |
Simple: Has there been an increase in the number of gifted children identified? |
Complex: What practical techniques can teachers use to identify and guide gifted children better? |
Explanation: A simple “yes” or “no” statement easily answers the first research question. The second research question is more complicated and requires the researcher to collect data, perform in-depth data analysis, and form an argument that leads to further discussion. |
References:
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A well-crafted research question can guide your research and help you to stay focused on your topic. However, developing a good research question can be challenging. In this article, we will provide you with examples of good and bad research questions to help you prepare for your research project.
By examining good and bad research question examples, you can learn how to develop your own research question that is clear, specific, and relevant to your field of study. A well-crafted research question can help you stay focused on your topic, guide your research, and ultimately lead to a successful research project.
Research Question Examples
In any research project, the research question is the foundation upon which the entire study is built. A well-designed research question is essential to conducting a successful study. It guides the researcher in defining the scope of the study, selecting the appropriate research methods, and analyzing the data.
A research question is a clear, concise, and specific question that a researcher asks in order to guide their study. It is the central question that the researcher seeks to answer through their research. A good research question is one that is focused, relevant, and answerable.
Research questions are important because they help to define the scope of the study and guide the research process. They help to ensure that the study is focused and relevant and that the research methods are appropriate for answering the research question. In addition, good research questions help to ensure that the study is feasible, ethical, and can be completed within a reasonable timeframe.
When it comes to developing research questions, there are several characteristics that distinguish good questions from bad ones. Good research questions are essential for guiding your research, and they should be focused, clear, and feasible. Here are some key characteristics of good research questions:
A good research question should be focused on a single problem or issue rather than being too broad or vague. A focused research question helps you to narrow down your research and prevents you from getting lost in irrelevant information. It also helps you to identify the key variables that you need to measure or manipulate in your study.
A good research question should be clear and easy to understand. It should avoid using jargon or technical terms that are not familiar to your audience. A clear research question helps you to communicate your research goals and objectives to your readers and stakeholders.
A good research question should be feasible in terms of time, scope, resources, expertise, and funding. It should be realistic and achievable within the constraints of your research project. A feasible research question helps you to avoid wasting time and resources on unrealistic or impractical research goals.
A good research question should be interesting to you as a researcher and to your audience. It should be relevant to current issues or debates in your field and have the potential to contribute to knowledge or practice. An interesting research question helps you to stay motivated and engaged in your research and to attract the attention of your readers and stakeholders.
A good research question should be testable or answerable through empirical research. It should be amenable to the formulation of clear hypotheses and the collection of relevant data. A testable research question helps you to evaluate the validity and reliability of your research findings and to draw meaningful conclusions from them.
Social sciences.
In the social sciences, research questions often revolve around human behavior and social interactions. Here are a few examples of good research questions:
Natural science research often focuses on the physical world and natural phenomena. Here are a few examples of good research questions in the natural sciences:
Research in the humanities often centers on culture, language, and history. Here are a few examples of good research questions in the humanities:
When writing a research question, it is important to ensure that it is well-constructed and meaningful. A bad research question can lead to a poorly designed study or result in irrelevant findings. Here are some characteristics of bad research questions that you should avoid:
A research question that is vague or ambiguous can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. It is important to ensure that your research question is clear and specific. Avoid using broad terms that are open to interpretation, such as “better,” “more,” or “improve.” Instead, use precise language that defines the scope of your study.
A research question that is too broad or too narrow can lead to problems with data collection and analysis. A broad research question may be too general to answer effectively, while a narrow research question may limit the scope of your study. It is important to strike a balance between the two and ensure that your research question is appropriately focused.
A research question that is not testable or measurable can lead to problems with data analysis and interpretation. It is important to ensure that your research question can be answered using empirical evidence. Avoid using questions that are based on opinion or speculation, as these cannot be tested or measured effectively.
A research question that is not relevant or significant can lead to a study that has little impact or practical application. It is important to ensure that your research question is grounded in existing literature and addresses a gap in knowledge or practice. Avoid using questions that are trivial or have already been answered, as these will not contribute to the advancement of your field.
Vague questions.
Vague questions are those that are not clear or specific enough. They lack clarity and precision, making it difficult to answer them. Here are some examples of vague questions:
These questions are too broad and do not provide a specific focus for research. They are difficult to answer because they lack clarity and precision.
Too broad questions are those that are too general and cover too much ground. They are difficult to answer because they are too broad and do not provide a specific focus for research. Here are some examples of too broad questions:
These questions are too broad and cover too much ground. They are difficult to answer because they lack specificity and focus.
Unanswerable questions are those that cannot be answered through research. They are often philosophical or theoretical in nature and cannot be tested or measured. Here are some examples of unanswerable questions:
These questions are unanswerable through research because they are philosophical or theoretical in nature. They cannot be tested or measured, making them unsuitable for research.
If you have identified that your research question is not strong enough, you can take steps to improve it. Here are some tips to help you improve your bad research questions:
Developing effective research questions is crucial for the success of your research project. Here are some tips to help you develop research questions that are focused, achievable, and answerable:
What are the characteristics of a good research question?
A good research question should be focused, specific, researchable, and relevant. It should be clear and concise, and it should be able to be answered with available data and resources. Additionally, a good research question should be open-ended and leave room for exploration and discovery.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when formulating a research question?
Some common mistakes to avoid when formulating a research question include asking questions that are too broad or too narrow, asking questions that are too complex or convoluted, and asking questions that are not relevant or feasible. It is also important to avoid asking leading questions that may bias the research or the results.
What are some examples of research questions in social sciences?
Some examples of research questions in social sciences include: “What is the impact of social media on adolescent mental health?”, “How does socioeconomic status affect academic achievement?”, and “What are the factors that contribute to political polarization in the United States?”
What are the different types of research questions and how do they differ?
There are three main types of research questions: descriptive, exploratory, and explanatory. Descriptive research questions seek to describe a phenomenon or situation, while exploratory research questions seek to explore new areas of inquiry. Explanatory research questions seek to explain the relationship between variables.
How do you evaluate whether a research question is feasible and relevant?
To evaluate whether a research question is feasible and relevant, consider whether it can be answered with available data and resources, whether it is within the scope of the research project, and whether it is relevant to the research topic or problem being investigated.
What are some tips for refining a research question and making it more specific?
To refine a research question and make it more specific, consider narrowing the focus of the question, clarifying the language used in the question, and ensuring that the question is researchable and can be answered with available data and resources. It may also be helpful to seek feedback from peers or advisors to ensure that the question is clear and concise.
Last Updated on September 5, 2023
Every research writing requires research questions. Your research questions are what guide you to keep researching. Note that the questions have to be tailored to your topic. In the beginning, you’ll require a problem statement about the topic; it’s the topic’s loophole.
Once you have the problem statement, develop research questions to help you write on the topic. Your research question is what drives your research and something within the field that must be provided.
So, when drafting research questions, ensure it guides your research. Because choosing the wrong research questions ruins the outcome of your work. This article covers everything about good and bad research topics.
Before choosing research questions, make sure you have a solid topic. There has to be a loophole in your area of research, which is what your research question helps you find solutions to. Here are steps to choosing a good research question:
Your choice of topic has to be on point. When choosing a topic, ask yourself, what topic interests you? Which areas in this topic require more research? Also, make sure that the context you’ve chosen to base your topic on is of interest to people.
During the research process, you begin to learn more about your topic. The more you learn, the more you realize angles that need to be addressed. Through research, you find a research problem.
After researching your topic, you’ve already started seeing a possible angle your research will take. Narrow your topic down to focus on a particular area.
Now that you’ve narrowed your topic down, you focus attention on an area and fish out issues within this research area. This is usually when the research problem comes up.
After finding your research problem, to dissect the problem, you’ll need to break it down into questions. For example, your research should be the “so what? now what?” question.
Research questions can either be good or bad. A bad research question ruins the outcome of your research. So, you must be careful of your questions. Here are some of the features of a good research question:
Research topics are different from research questions. A research topic is a general area your research focuses on. It’s the context upon which you’ve based your research interest. On the other hand, research questions are formulated to solve the research problem.
Here are good sample research questions to consider:
While there are good research questions, there are also bad ones. Bad research questions affect the outcome and quality of your research. Below are some bad research questions:
Why are these questions bad? They are bad because they are ineffective. What is ineffective about this research question? The questions are generalized; they are not specific and cannot be used to address any problem. The essence of a good research topic is that it points the arrow toward a core problem that needs to be addressed.
Bad research questions weaken the outcome of your research. Since the purpose of research is to draw attention to an area. The question has to be compelling enough to attract the attention of readers.
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A research question is the main query that researchers seek to answer in their study. It serves as the basis for a scholarly project such as research paper, thesis or dissertation. A good research question should be clear, relevant and specific enough to guide the research process. It should also be open-ended, meaning that it allows for multiple possible answers or interpretations.
If you have located your general subject and main sources but still aren’t quite sure about the exact research questions for your paper, this guide will help you out. First, we will explore the concept of it together, so you could answer it in your work. Then some simple steps on composing your inquiry will be suggested. In the end, we will draw your attention to some specific details which can make your work good or bad. Sometimes it’s just easier to delegate all challenging tasks to a reliable research paper service . StudyCrumb is a trustable network of qualified writers ready to efficiently solve students’ challenges.
Good research questions provide a concise definition of a problem. As a scholar, your main goal at the beginning is to select the main focus. It should be narrow enough so you could examine it within your deadline. Your work should be focused on something specific. Otherwise, it will require too much work and might not produce clear answers. At the same time your answer should be arguable and supported by data you’ve collected. Take a look at this example:
In this section we will examine the process of developing a research question. We will guide you through it, step by step. Keep in mind that your subject should be important for your audience. So it requires some preliminary study and brainstorming. Let’s take a closer look at the main steps.
First, you need to decide on your general direction. When trying to identify your research paper questions, it is better to choose an area you are really interested in. You should be able to obtain enough data to write something about this topic. Therefore, do not choose something out of your reach. At the same time, your broad topic should not be too simple. Research paper questions that can be answered without any study would hardly make any sense for your project.
Next, it is time we explore the context of the selected topic. You wouldn’t want to choose research questions that have already been examined and answered in detail. On the other hand, choosing a topic that is a complete ‘terra incognita’ might be a bridge too far for your project. Browse through available sources that are related to this topic. You should try and find out what has been discovered about it before. Do you see a gap that you can fill with your study? You can proceed with developing your exact inquiry! Have no time for in-depth topic exploration? Leave this task to professionals. Entrust your “ write my research paper ” order to StudyCrumb and get a top-notch work.
It is good to know your reader well to be able to convey your ideas and results to them in the best possible way. Before writing research questions for your projects, you might need to perform a brief analysis of your audience. That's how you'll be able to understand what is interesting for them and what is not. This will allow you to make better decisions when narrowing your broad topic down. Select a topic that is interesting for your reader! This would contribute much to the success for writing a research paper .
After you have considered your options, go ahead and compose the primary subject of your paper. What makes a good research question? It should highlight some problematic and relevant aspects of the general topic. So, after it is answered, you should have obtained some new valuable knowledge about the subject. Typically scholars start narrowing down their general topic by asking ‘how’, ‘why’ or ‘what’s next’ questions. This approach might help you come up with a great idea quickly.
Finally, after you have composed a research paper question, you should take a second look at it and see if it is good enough for your paper. It would be useful to analyze it from the following sides:
You might use the help of your peers or your friends at this step. You can also show it to your tutor and ask for their opinion.
A number of research questions types are available for use in a paper. They are divided into two main groups:
Qualitative questions:
Quantitative questions:
Selecting a certain type would impact the course of your study. We suggest you think about it carefully. Below you can find a few words about each type. Also, you can seek proficient help from academic experts. Buy a research paper from real pros and forget about stress once and for all.
When doing qualitative research, you are expected to aim to understand the different aspects and qualities of your target problem. Therefore, your thesis should focus on analyzing people’s experience, ideas and reflections rather than on obtaining some statistical data and calculating trends. Thus, this inquiry typically requires observing people’s behavior, interacting with them and learning how they interpret your target problem. Let’s illustrate this with an example:
Contextual research revolves around examining your subject in its natural, everyday environment. It may be watching animals living in their usual habitats or people doing their normal activities in their familiar surroundings (at home, at school or at office). This academic approach helps to understand the role of the context. You'll be able to better explain connections between your problem, its environment and outcomes. This type of inquiry ought to be narrow enough. You shouldn’t have to examine each and every aspect of the selected problem in your paper. Consider this example:
Evaluative research is performed in order to carefully assess the qualities of a selected object, individual, group, system or concept. It typically serves the purpose of collecting evidence that supports or contradicts solutions for a problem. This type of inquiry should focus on how useful a certain quality is for solving the problem. To conduct such study, you need to examine selected qualities in detail. Then, you should assume whether they match necessary criteria. It might include some quantitative methods such as collecting statistics. Although, the most important part is analyzing the qualities. If you need some examples, here’s one for you:
Your paper can be dedicated to explaining a certain phenomenon, finding its reasons and important relationships between it and other important things. Your explanatory research question should aim to highlight issues, uncertainties and problematic aspects of your subject. So, your study should bring clarity about these qualities. It should show how and why they have developed this way. An explanation may include showing causes and effects of issues in question, comparing the selected phenomenon to other similar types and showing whether the selected qualities match some predefined criteria. If you need some examples, check this one:
This type of research is conducted in order to better understand the subject. With its help, you can find some new solutions or opportunities for improvement. Therefore, its main purpose is to develop a theoretical basis for further actions. You need to compose your generative research questions in a way that facilitates obtaining new ideas. It would help to begin with asking ‘why’, ‘what is the relationship between the subject and the problems X, Y, and Z’, ‘what can be improved here’, ‘how we can prevent it’ and so on. Need relevant examples? We’ve got one for you:
Ethnography research is focused on a particular group of people. The aim is to study their behavior, typical reactions to certain events or information, needs, preferences or habits. Important parameters of this group which are most relevant to your general subject are taken into consideration. These are age, sex, language, religion, ethnicity, social status and so on. Main method in this case is first-hand observation of people from the selected group during an extended period of time. If you need strong examples, here’s one:
Quantitative research deals with data – first of all, it is numeric data. It involves mathematical calculations and statistical analysis. It helps to obtain knowledge which is mostly expressed in numbers, graphs and tables. Unlike the qualitative type, the purpose of quantitative research is finding patterns, calculating probabilities, testing causal relationships and making predictions. It is focused on testing theories and hypotheses. (We have the whole blog on what is a hypothesis .) It is mostly used in natural and social sciences. These are: chemistry, biology, psychology, economics, sociology, marketing, etc. Here are a couple of examples:
This is probably the most widespread type of quantitative research question. Such inquiries seek to explain when, where, why, or how something occurred. They describe it accurately and systematically. These inquiries typically start with ‘what’. You are expected to use various methods to investigate one or more variables and determine their dependencies. Note, however, that you cannot control or manipulate any of these variables. You can only observe and measure them. Looking for some interesting examples? Here is one:
Comparative research question is used to highlight different variables and provide numerical evidence. This type is based on comparing one object, parameter or issue with another one of a similar kind. It can help to discover the differences between two or more groups by examining their outcome variables. Take a look at these two examples:
We conduct this type of research when we need to make it clear whether one parameter of a selected object causes another one. A relationship based quantitative research question should help us to explore and define trends and interactions between two or more variables. Are these two things mutually dependent? What kind of dependence is it? How has it developed? And what are possible outcomes of this connection? Here is an example of relationship-based quantitative research questions:
This section contains a number of helpful examples of research questions. Feel free to use them as inspiration to create your own questions and conduct productive study. Let’s start with two simple ones:
Are you interested in well written and inspiring questions? Do you want to learn what to avoid in your study? Just stay with us – there will be more of them below.
Everyone is interested in getting the best possible appraisal for their study. Choosing a topic which doesn't suit your specific situation may be discouraging. Thus, the quality of your paper might get affected by a poor choice. We have put together some good and bad examples so that you could avoid such mistakes.
It is important to include clear terms into your questions. Otherwise, it would be difficult for you to plan your investigation properly. Also, they must be focused on a certain subject, not multiple ones. And finally, it should be possible to answer them. Let’s review several good examples:
It is difficult to evaluate qualities of objects, individuals or groups if your purpose is not clear. This is why you shouldn’t create unclear research questions or try to focus on many problems at once. Some preliminary study might help to understand what you should focus on. Here are several bad examples:
In case you may need some information about the discussion section of a research paper example , find it in our blog.
In this article we have made a detailed review of the most popular types of research questions. We described peculiarities. We also provided some tips on conducting various kinds of study. Besides, a number of useful examples have been given for each category of questions.
Feel free to check out essay writing services. We have experienced writers who can help you compose your paper in time. They will absolutely ensure the high quality of your text.
1. what is an example of a weak research question.
Here is an example of the weakest research question:
What kinds of animals live in the USA? |
An answer would be simply making a list of species that inhabit the country. This subject does not require any actual study to be conducted. There is nothing to calculate or analyze here.
Most effective type of research question is the one that doesn't have a single correct answer. However, you should also pay close attention to your audience. If you need to create a strong effect, better choose a topic which is relevant for them.
If you need an idea for a nursing research question, here are a few helpful examples you could use as a reference:
How do you analyze the development of telehealth? |
How to evaluate critical care nursing? |
What are some cardiovascular issues? |
Sociological questions are the ones that examine the social patterns or a meaning of a social phenomenon. They could be qualitative or quantitative. They should target groups of people with certain parameters, such as age or income level. Keep in mind that type of study usually requires collecting numerous data about your target groups.
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Updated 23 Jul 2024
The starting point for any investigation is a research question. Still, formulating valid and relevant questions can be challenging for many writers with little experience. Despite their crucial role in the research process, there is also a need for more guidance on creating innovative research questions.
While producing good research questions may only come naturally to some, this skill can be developed. Edubirdie writing experts are glad to share some secrets in this respect with you. The article aims to assist researchers in completing effective research questions by defining their importance and discussing the most effective methods for constructing them.
Before going into details of this crucial aspect of academic writing, let’s discover the research question definition. It is an essential part of any work that specifies what readers will discover in an academic paper. A well-thought-out research question should have the following characteristics:
Creating a single research question to manage your progress is typical when writing an essay or research paper. The answer will represent your main argument or position and become the thesis statement. When completing larger research projects like a thesis or dissertation, you may need to create multiple research questions which must be closely related and focus on a central problem of your investigation.
Research questions play a vital role in helping writers stay on track during the writing process by providing a clear direction and breaking up the investigation into simple steps. They help to define the type of academic papers and identify their main purposes. Learners can avoid producing a generic "all-about" paper when a research question is well-crafted and specific. Instead, it enables them to focus on developing a specific and debatable thesis.
Depending on the academic work type, research questions can be divided into three categories: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies. To better comprehend the research type and its implications, it is essential to grasp what is a research methodology entails. Understanding the research type is important in defining the most appropriate research question. Let’s formulate the differences between these categories and look at some research question examples.
Quantitative research questions are accurate and focused on proving or disproving a writer’s hypothesis through comparisons, descriptions, or relationships. They typically involve the following:
Quantitative research questions aim to appreciate particular educational, familial, or social experiences or processes in a specific location and context. They are useful when selecting a research topic or asking additional questions to get more information.
These questions can be classified into three types:
They are the most typical and focus on describing variables measured during the research and evaluating the responses of a study’s population. They usually start with “what”, “when”, “why”, “where”, and “how” and often use statistics and data to tell about a phenomenon or event.
"What is the prevalence of depression symptoms among college students in the United States?”
This question aims to measure the responses of the study's population (college students in the United States) to a variable (depression symptoms).
They seek to reveal the differences between several groups for an outcome variable. They may also be causal. Thus, an author can contrast a group where a particular variable is present to another one where this variable is not involved.
“What is the difference in academic performance between learners who participate in extracurricular activities and those who do not?”
This question aims to discover the differences between two groups (students who participate in extracurricular activities and those who do not) for an outcome variable (academic performance). The question may also be causal, as a researcher can compare a group where a certain variable is involved (extracurricular activities) with another group where that variable is absent.
They focus on exploring and determining essential trends and interactions between several variables and the effect one variable has on another. This type of question is characterized by independent and dependent variables and may contain words like “trends” or “association.”
“What are the actual trends in virtual dating behavior among young people, and how do these trends influence the formation and support of romantic relationships?”
This question focuses on defining current trends in online dating and the impact these trends (or one type of variable) have on forming and supporting romantic relationships (another variable).
Qualitative research questions may concern broad or specific areas of study and are flexible, non-directional, and more adaptable than quantitative questions. They aim to "discover," "explain," or "explore" and can be categorized into exploratory, predictive, and interpretive questions.
They seek to gain a deeper understanding of a topic without impacting the results. These questions aim to collect information and ideas without preconceived notions or biases.
“What is the attitude of college students towards online learning, and how has that attitude changed during the COVID-19 pandemic?”
Based on the question content, they are designed to anticipate the most suitable response variants. These questions aim to gain insight into a specific topic’s intent or potential outcomes.
“Based on your past purchasing behavior, how likely will you buy a new smartphone in the next six months?”
They allow you to observe people in their natural environment. These questions explore how a group collectively comprehends and interprets the shared experience associated with a particular phenomenon. This study aims to collect information and ideas about the group's behavior and reactions without affecting the outcome.
“How do employees interpret and understand the organizational culture of their company, and how do these interpretations affect their job satisfaction and commitment to the organization?”
Mixed-methods studies involve quantitative and qualitative research questions and focus on the importance and differences between qualitative and quantitative methods.
“How does parental involvement influence the academic performance of elementary school pupils, and what factors encourage or impede parental involvement in education?”
This research question can be solved using mixed methods. Concerning the quantitative component, researchers may conduct surveys or gather data on parent participation and academic performance from a large sample of primary school pupils and their parents.
As for the qualitative component, researchers may conduct interviews or focus groups with parents and educators to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that encourage or hinder parental participation in education. By combining quantitative and qualitative data, researchers can better understand the relationship between parent involvement and academic achievement and indicate the factors that influence parent participation.
Many students don’t know how to develop a research question. If this is challenging for you, we’ll provide you with an algorithm you should follow to make the process easier.
Step 1. Start with finding an engaging and relevant topic.
Select a research topic that is interesting, complex and relevant. The most popular academic topics are healthcare and medical-related research. Still, if you need to do my math homework , Engineering, or Law, or you’re attending a Humanities program, creating a research question relevant to your major and specific field of study is crucial. When looking for a topic, selecting one you’re really excited about is essential. Your research motivation depends greatly on your interest in your subject area.
A wide-ranging subject offers writers numerous possibilities to find a suitable research question. You may use various techniques, such as brainstorming, breaking down a topic into subtopics to complete potential research questions, and concept mapping. Another approach is to discuss with friends and generate questions to stimulate thinking and extract ideas. This research methodology can structure your ideas and discover links and significant concepts within a broad topic.
Step 2. Conduct preliminary research to learn about your topical issue.
After choosing a topic, it’s time to do preliminary research by looking for articles and journals associated with your subject. Reviewing related sources will help you narrow your focus, update your knowledge of the topic and understand what other researchers are discussing. On the other hand, a preliminary review of relevant literature enables defining actual gaps and restrictions in existing investigations on your subject. You can further use your findings to create a research question and an APA title page for your research paper.
Step 3. Narrow your topic and define potential research questions .
Once you understand the topic you will investigate, narrow your focus to a more specific study area. The best idea is to concentrate on the recent articles you’ve read and the knowledge gaps you’ve found.
An alternative approach to generating research questions is called problematization. It involves questioning the underlying assumptions that support your theoretical positions. In other words, constructing research questions that challenge your existing knowledge of the study area or viewpoints.
Personal experiences are also significant in this respect. For example, researchers with practical experiences can reflect on problematic areas within their practice while identifying patterns and trends in practice can offer new ideas and insights.
Create several research questions that complement or extend the findings of other researchers. You should always consider your audience and whether they would be interested in your inquiry.
Step 4. Assess your r esearch questions.
Once you’ve completed several questions, evaluate them to understand their effectiveness and relevance. Then, while revising your variants, analyze the finer details and their probable outcomes. Compose open-ended questions about your topic and estimate whether they are clear, focused, and complex enough to guide your research. Make sure your variants meet the essential research question criteria. Think about the possible paths your research could take and what sources you should consult to find a variety of perspectives and responses to your question.
Step 5. Make edits before creating the final version.
Ensure your research question is fully formulated before starting to draft the research paper discussion section. The result of your efforts should be a coherent and meaningful question sufficiently relevant to the context of your field.
You can always receive editing and proofreading services from our company at any stage of the writing process. Formulating a strong research question is fundamental to any study, and if you're having trouble with this step, you might consider using a service to do my homework to ensure your research is on the right track. If you need assistance completing a research question or any other section of your academic work, or your language requires polishing, feel free to get help from our experienced writers, editors, and proofreaders.
Let’s see how to write a good research question by looking at bad and good examples to guide learners struggling with creating this element.
Example no. 1:
Bad: What is global warming?
This question is too broad and general. It is not a research question but more of a basic definition question that can be easily answered with a quick web search. The suitable research question should be more specific and focused.
Good: How are human activities contributing to global temperature rise, and what are the potential implications of this trend for the ecosystem?
This research question focuses on the relationship between human activities and global warming. It also looks at the potential consequences of this trend for the ecosystem. This is a good question because it can guide research into the impact of human activities on the global climate and identify ways to mitigate those impacts.
Example no. 2:
Bad: Has there been a growth of cardiovascular diseases in the world in the past 20 years?
This example of a research question is too simple and broad and has an obvious answer. Generally, all “yes/no” questions should be avoided when completing research questions, as they don’t promote further discussions and don’t require collecting data and in-depth analysis.
Good: How do physical activity and the Mediterranean diet affect the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in middle-aged adults?
This variant is specific and focused on the impact of physical activity and the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged adults. It is a good research question because it motivates us to explore the potential influence of lifestyle changes on cardiovascular disease prevention. It also includes the specific population (middle-aged adults) and variables (physical activity and Mediterranean diet) to be studied.
Example no. 3:
Bad: How does the Internet affect our lives?
This sample is a basic question that can be easily answered based on personal experience or a quick online search. The research question should be clearly defined and focused.
Good: To what extent does social media use affect adolescents' mental health?
This question aims to discover the relationship between social media use and the mental health of a specific population (adolescents). It is a good variant as it can guide research to analyze the impact of social media on mental health, which is a timely and important topic. In further investigation, a researcher could examine various mental health consequences such as stress, depression, and anxiety and analyze effective measures to reduce the negative influence of social media on well-being and mental health.
What makes a strong research question ?
There are several characteristics of a strong research question. It should be:
How to make sure I have a good main research question ?
Completing a main research question may be challenging. The question has to facilitate the solution to the issue you have set in your problem statement. Still, it should meet the following five criteria:
Why is a research question essential to the research process?
Writing a research question is a crucial stage of the investigation as it shapes the study's design, determines the methodology, and establishes the research objectives. The research questions define the problem you will investigate, highlighting the intended research outcomes for readers. They also help divide research into manageable stages, facilitate achieving objectives, and solve the initial issue.
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Stella Gary is a talented writer specializing in creating comprehensive guides on various academic tasks, including literature reviews, lab reports, and thesis writing. With a sharp analytical mind and a deep understanding of academic standards, Stella offers invaluable advice and techniques to help students achieve their academic goals. Outside of her professional work, Stella is passionate about sustainable living and often explores innovative ways to promote eco-friendly practices.
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Abstract | Introduction | Literature Review | Research question | Materials & Methods | Results | Discussion | Conclusion
In this blog, we will see how to construct and present the research question in your research paper. We will also look at other components that make up the final paragraph of the introduction section of your paper.
The research questions are normally the aims and objectives of your work. The research question pinpoints exactly what it is you want to find out in your work. You can have a single research question or multiple research questions in your paper depending on the complexity of your research. Generally, it is a good idea to keep the number of research questions to less than four.
Let’s look at some examples of research questions. The research question is normally one of the major components of the final paragraph of the introduction section. We will look at the examples of the entire final paragraph of the introduction along with the research questions to put things into perspective.
Here is an example from a health sciences research paper. The passage starts with the research gap. The authors are saying that there is a need for a better understanding of the relationship between social media and mental health. Then, the authors explain the aims of their research and elaborate on what methodology they will be using to achieve their aims. The authors say that they will be using online surveys and face-to-face interviews to collect data to answer their research question. The passage flows very well and the author nicely lays out the research gap, the study aims, and the plan of action.
The effects of social media usage on mental health are poorly documented in the literature as research papers on the topic give contradictory conclusions. The present study aims to improve our understanding of the effects of social media usage on mental health. The data were collected from a variety of age-group over a period of two years in a structured manner. The methods of data collection involved online surveys and face-to-face interviews. _ Research gap _ Research question _ _ Method summary
Here is a slightly different variant of the previous example. Here, the authors have formulated the research question in the form of a hypothesis. Same as before, the authors are establishing the research gap in the first statement. In the next couple of statements, they are defining a specific hypothesis that they will be testing in the paper. In this case, they are testing the link between social media and mental health. And in the final statement, they are explaining the research methodology they will be employing to either prove or disprove the hypothesis. This is a pretty good example to follow if your research work is hypothesis-driven.
Past research suggests that while social media use is correlated with levels of anxiety and depression, the evidence so far is limited [1-2]. Therefore, building on previous discussion, Hypothesis 1 proposes: The levels of anxiety and depression will be lower among those who use social media platforms less frequently compared to those who use social media more frequently. This hypothesis (H1) is tested in this study through surveys and face-to-face interviews. _ Research gap _ Research question (Hypothesis) _ Method summary
Here is an example from a computer sciences research paper. The authors establish the research gap by saying that there aren’t many papers on the topic of stock price prediction. Then, they explain what they are proposing. They are proposing a new method called the ‘Hybrid prediction model’. Then, they are providing a brief breakdown of their method by explaining how their method functions. They are saying that in their approach they are combining multiple methods in a structured way to improve the overall prediction accuracy of stock prices.
Only a few papers have addressed the problem of accurately predicting stock prices. In this paper, we propose a method, called the Hybrid Prediction Method that combines a selection of existing methods in a structured way to improve on the results obtained by using any single method alone. This paper is organized as follows: In Section 2, we introduce the Hybrid Analysis. Section 3 presents a number of experiments and results, and these results are discussed in Section 6. Section 7 concludes the paper. _ Research gap _ Research question _ Paper outline
Finally, they finish off the section by providing the outline of the paper. Please note, providing the paper outline is optional. It depends on your personal preference and journal requirements. This passage is a typical format you will see in engineering research papers that propose a new method to solve a particular problem.
Here is an example from a psychology research paper. In the first line, the authors clearly state the research question, and the methodology they will be using to address it. The authors aim to test the impact of background music on the listener’s ability to remember words. They will be addressing this by performing a series of experiments in which observers will be shown words on the computer screen while playing different types of background music. Then, they are finishing off the section with a very brief summary of the results. This is a good idea because it will provide readers with a rough idea of what to expect from the rest of the paper.
In two experiments, we tested whether the presence of background music had an effect on memory recall. More precisely, we examined whether the type of music, either classical or pop, had an impact on the ability of people to remember a list of words. Observers viewed a list of words on a computer screen and listened to either classical or pop music in the background. The results of this study indicate significant differences between classical and pop music in terms of their effects on memory recall and cognition. _ _ Research questions _ Methods summary _ Results summary
Your research question should align with your research gap and the problem statement. The research question should logically follow the problem statement and research gap you established in the previous sections of your paper. If your research objectives are misaligned with your problem statement and research gap, then reviewers will reject your paper. So make sure they are all tightly aligned with each other.
Look at the first example. We are saying that we are going to study the impact of social media on young people. The research question is too broad. As you can see there is no clear direction, and the study attempts to take on too much.
The research aims to find out the impact of social media on young people. Bad research question (Too broad)
Now, look at the second example. It is much more focused. We are very specific about our research questions. We are saying that we are attempting to measure the average time spent by teenagers on social media. And, we are also trying to understand the exact nature of their interactions on social media. We will be using an online questionnaire to answer the questions and we will be choosing participants from England and Scotland. This is a good research question, because it clearly defines what you have set out to do and how you plan to achieve it.
The research aims to estimate the average time spent by 18-24 year-olds on social media, and investigate the nature of interactions and conversations they have on social media. We attempt to answer these questions by conducting an online questionnaire survey in England and Scotland. Good research question (Very specific and focussed)
This blog explains how to write a research paper and provides writing ideas in the form of academic phrases.
In this blog, we will look at some clever techniques to present the study limitations without reducing the impact of your work.
In this blog, we will go through many abstract examples and understand how to construct a good abstract for your research paper.
In this blog, we will go through many conclusion examples and learn how to present a powerful final take-home message to your readers.
In this blog, we will look at how to use constructive language when critiquing other’s work in your research paper.
In this blog, we will look at some examples of good and bad research questions and learn how to formulate a strong research question.
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A research hypothesis is an attempt at explaining a phenomenon or the relationships between phenomena/variables in the real world. Hypotheses are sometimes called “educated guesses”, but they are in fact (or let’s say they should be) based on previous observations, existing theories, scientific evidence, and logic. A research hypothesis is also not a prediction—rather, predictions are ( should be) based on clearly formulated hypotheses. For example, “We tested the hypothesis that KLF2 knockout mice would show deficiencies in heart development” is an assumption or prediction, not a hypothesis.
The research hypothesis at the basis of this prediction is “the product of the KLF2 gene is involved in the development of the cardiovascular system in mice”—and this hypothesis is probably (hopefully) based on a clear observation, such as that mice with low levels of Kruppel-like factor 2 (which KLF2 codes for) seem to have heart problems. From this hypothesis, you can derive the idea that a mouse in which this particular gene does not function cannot develop a normal cardiovascular system, and then make the prediction that we started with.
You might think that these are very subtle differences, and you will certainly come across many publications that do not contain an actual hypothesis or do not make these distinctions correctly. But considering that the formulation and testing of hypotheses is an integral part of the scientific method, it is good to be aware of the concepts underlying this approach. The two hallmarks of a scientific hypothesis are falsifiability (an evaluation standard that was introduced by the philosopher of science Karl Popper in 1934) and testability —if you cannot use experiments or data to decide whether an idea is true or false, then it is not a hypothesis (or at least a very bad one).
So, in a nutshell, you (1) look at existing evidence/theories, (2) come up with a hypothesis, (3) make a prediction that allows you to (4) design an experiment or data analysis to test it, and (5) come to a conclusion. Of course, not all studies have hypotheses (there is also exploratory or hypothesis-generating research), and you do not necessarily have to state your hypothesis as such in your paper.
But for the sake of understanding the principles of the scientific method, let’s first take a closer look at the different types of hypotheses that research articles refer to and then give you a step-by-step guide for how to formulate a strong hypothesis for your own paper.
Hypotheses can be simple , which means they describe the relationship between one single independent variable (the one you observe variations in or plan to manipulate) and one single dependent variable (the one you expect to be affected by the variations/manipulation). If there are more variables on either side, you are dealing with a complex hypothesis. You can also distinguish hypotheses according to the kind of relationship between the variables you are interested in (e.g., causal or associative ). But apart from these variations, we are usually interested in what is called the “alternative hypothesis” and, in contrast to that, the “null hypothesis”. If you think these two should be listed the other way round, then you are right, logically speaking—the alternative should surely come second. However, since this is the hypothesis we (as researchers) are usually interested in, let’s start from there.
If you predict a relationship between two variables in your study, then the research hypothesis that you formulate to describe that relationship is your alternative hypothesis (usually H1 in statistical terms). The goal of your hypothesis testing is thus to demonstrate that there is sufficient evidence that supports the alternative hypothesis, rather than evidence for the possibility that there is no such relationship. The alternative hypothesis is usually the research hypothesis of a study and is based on the literature, previous observations, and widely known theories.
The hypothesis that describes the other possible outcome, that is, that your variables are not related, is the null hypothesis ( H0 ). Based on your findings, you choose between the two hypotheses—usually that means that if your prediction was correct, you reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative. Make sure, however, that you are not getting lost at this step of the thinking process: If your prediction is that there will be no difference or change, then you are trying to find support for the null hypothesis and reject H1.
While the null hypothesis is obviously “static”, the alternative hypothesis can specify a direction for the observed relationship between variables—for example, that mice with higher expression levels of a certain protein are more active than those with lower levels. This is then called a one-tailed hypothesis.
Another example for a directional one-tailed alternative hypothesis would be that
H1: Attending private classes before important exams has a positive effect on performance.
Your null hypothesis would then be that
H0: Attending private classes before important exams has no/a negative effect on performance.
A nondirectional hypothesis does not specify the direction of the potentially observed effect, only that there is a relationship between the studied variables—this is called a two-tailed hypothesis. For instance, if you are studying a new drug that has shown some effects on pathways involved in a certain condition (e.g., anxiety) in vitro in the lab, but you can’t say for sure whether it will have the same effects in an animal model or maybe induce other/side effects that you can’t predict and potentially increase anxiety levels instead, you could state the two hypotheses like this:
H1: The only lab-tested drug (somehow) affects anxiety levels in an anxiety mouse model.
You then test this nondirectional alternative hypothesis against the null hypothesis:
H0: The only lab-tested drug has no effect on anxiety levels in an anxiety mouse model.
Now that we understand the important distinctions between different kinds of research hypotheses, let’s look at a simple process of how to write a hypothesis.
Ask a question, based on earlier research. Research always starts with a question, but one that takes into account what is already known about a topic or phenomenon. For example, if you are interested in whether people who have pets are happier than those who don’t, do a literature search and find out what has already been demonstrated. You will probably realize that yes, there is quite a bit of research that shows a relationship between happiness and owning a pet—and even studies that show that owning a dog is more beneficial than owning a cat ! Let’s say you are so intrigued by this finding that you wonder:
What is it that makes dog owners even happier than cat owners?
Let’s move on to Step 2 and find an answer to that question.
Formulate a strong hypothesis by answering your own question. Again, you don’t want to make things up, take unicorns into account, or repeat/ignore what has already been done. Looking at the dog-vs-cat papers your literature search returned, you see that most studies are based on self-report questionnaires on personality traits, mental health, and life satisfaction. What you don’t find is any data on actual (mental or physical) health measures, and no experiments. You therefore decide to make a bold claim come up with the carefully thought-through hypothesis that it’s maybe the lifestyle of the dog owners, which includes walking their dog several times per day, engaging in fun and healthy activities such as agility competitions, and taking them on trips, that gives them that extra boost in happiness. You could therefore answer your question in the following way:
Dog owners are happier than cat owners because of the dog-related activities they engage in.
Now you have to verify that your hypothesis fulfills the two requirements we introduced at the beginning of this resource article: falsifiability and testability . If it can’t be wrong and can’t be tested, it’s not a hypothesis. We are lucky, however, because yes, we can test whether owning a dog but not engaging in any of those activities leads to lower levels of happiness or well-being than owning a dog and playing and running around with them or taking them on trips.
Make your predictions and define your variables. We have verified that we can test our hypothesis, but now we have to define all the relevant variables, design our experiment or data analysis, and make precise predictions. You could, for example, decide to study dog owners (not surprising at this point), let them fill in questionnaires about their lifestyle as well as their life satisfaction (as other studies did), and then compare two groups of active and inactive dog owners. Alternatively, if you want to go beyond the data that earlier studies produced and analyzed and directly manipulate the activity level of your dog owners to study the effect of that manipulation, you could invite them to your lab, select groups of participants with similar lifestyles, make them change their lifestyle (e.g., couch potato dog owners start agility classes, very active ones have to refrain from any fun activities for a certain period of time) and assess their happiness levels before and after the intervention. In both cases, your independent variable would be “ level of engagement in fun activities with dog” and your dependent variable would be happiness or well-being .
Let’s look at a few examples of good and bad hypotheses to get you started.
Working from home improves job satisfaction. | Employees who are allowed to work from home are less likely to quit within 2 years than those who need to come to the office. |
Sleep deprivation affects cognition. | Students who sleep <5 hours/night don’t perform as well on exams as those who sleep >7 hours/night. |
Animals adapt to their environment. | Birds of the same species living on different islands have differently shaped beaks depending on the available food source. |
Social media use causes anxiety. | Do teenagers who refrain from using social media for 4 weeks show improvements in anxiety symptoms? |
Garlic repels vampires. | Participants who eat garlic daily will not be harmed by vampires. | Nobody gets harmed by vampires— . |
Chocolate is better than vanilla. | No clearly defined variables— . |
If you understood the distinction between a hypothesis and a prediction we made at the beginning of this article, then you will have no problem formulating your hypotheses and predictions correctly. To refresh your memory: We have to (1) look at existing evidence, (2) come up with a hypothesis, (3) make a prediction, and (4) design an experiment. For example, you could summarize your dog/happiness study like this:
(1) While research suggests that dog owners are happier than cat owners, there are no reports on what factors drive this difference. (2) We hypothesized that it is the fun activities that many dog owners (but very few cat owners) engage in with their pets that increases their happiness levels. (3) We thus predicted that preventing very active dog owners from engaging in such activities for some time and making very inactive dog owners take up such activities would lead to an increase and decrease in their overall self-ratings of happiness, respectively. (4) To test this, we invited dog owners into our lab, assessed their mental and emotional well-being through questionnaires, and then assigned them to an “active” and an “inactive” group, depending on…
Note that you use “we hypothesize” only for your hypothesis, not for your experimental prediction, and “would” or “if – then” only for your prediction, not your hypothesis. A hypothesis that states that something “would” affect something else sounds as if you don’t have enough confidence to make a clear statement—in which case you can’t expect your readers to believe in your research either. Write in the present tense, don’t use modal verbs that express varying degrees of certainty (such as may, might, or could ), and remember that you are not drawing a conclusion while trying not to exaggerate but making a clear statement that you then, in a way, try to disprove . And if that happens, that is not something to fear but an important part of the scientific process.
Similarly, don’t use “we hypothesize” when you explain the implications of your research or make predictions in the conclusion section of your manuscript, since these are clearly not hypotheses in the true sense of the word. As we said earlier, you will find that many authors of academic articles do not seem to care too much about these rather subtle distinctions, but thinking very clearly about your own research will not only help you write better but also ensure that even that infamous Reviewer 2 will find fewer reasons to nitpick about your manuscript.
Now that you know how to write a strong research hypothesis for your research paper, you might be interested in our free AI Proofreader , Wordvice AI, which finds and fixes errors in grammar, punctuation, and word choice in academic texts. Or if you are interested in human proofreading , check out our English editing services , including research paper editing and manuscript editing .
On the Wordvice academic resources website , you can also find many more articles and other resources that can help you with writing the other parts of your research paper , with making a research paper outline before you put everything together, or with writing an effective cover letter once you are ready to submit.
Published by Alvin Nicolas at August 19th, 2024 , Revised On August 20, 2024
Before you start your research, the first thing you need to identify is the research method . Depending on different factors, you will either choose a quantitative or qualitative study.
Qualitative research is a great tool that helps understand the depth and richness of human opinions and experiences. Unlike quantitative research, which focuses on numerical data , qualitative research allows exploring and interpreting the experiences of the subject. Questionnaires, although mostly associated with quantitative research, can also be a valuable instrument in qualitative studies. Let’s explore what qualitative research questionnaires are and how you can create one.
Qualitative research questionnaires are a structured or semi-structured set of questions designed to gather detailed, open-ended participant responses. It allows you to uncover underlying reasons and opinions and provides insights into a particular phenomenon.
While quantitative questionnaires often have closed-ended questions and numerical responses, a qualitative questionnaire encourages participants to express themselves freely. Before you design your questionnaire, you should know exactly what you need so you can keep your questions specific enough for the participants to understand.
For example:
Now that you are familiar with what qualitative research questions are, let’s look at the different types of questions you can use in your survey .
These are used to explore and describe a phenomenon in detail. It helps answer the “what” part of the research, and the questions are mostly foundational.
Example: How do students experience online learning?
This type allows you to compare and contrast different groups or situations. You can explore the differences and similarities to highlight the impact of specific variables.
Example: How do the study habits of first-year and fourth-year university students differ?
These questions help you understand the meanings people attach to experiences or phenomena by answering the “how” and “why”.
Example: What does “success” mean to entrepreneurs?
You can use these to assess the quality or value of something. These allow you to understand the outcomes of various situations.
Example: How effective is the new customer service training program?
To understand how something happens or develops over time, researchers often use process-oriented questions.
Example: How do individuals develop their career goals?
These allow you to discover new perspectives on a topic. However, you have to be careful that there must be no preconceived notions or research biases to it.
Example: What are the emerging trends in the mobile gaming industry?
For your study to be successful, it is important to consider designing a questionnaire for qualitative research critically, as it will shape your research and data collection. Here is an easy guide to writing your qualitative research questions perfectly.
Many students start their research without clear goals, and they have to make substantial changes to their study in the middle of the research. This wastes time and resources.
Before you start crafting your questions, it is important to know your research objectives. You should know what you aim to discover through your research, or what specific knowledge gaps you are going to fill. With the help of a well-defined research focus, you can develop relevant and meaningful information.
There are mostly open-ended questionnaires in qualitative research. They begin with words like “how,” “what,” and “why.” However, the structure of your research questions depends on your research design . You have to consider using broad, overarching questions to explore the main research focus, and then add some specific probes to further research the particular aspects of the topic.
The more clear and concise your research questions are, the more effective and free from ambiguity they will be. Do not use complex terminology that might confuse participants. Try using simple and direct language that accurately conveys your intended meaning.
Here is a table to explain the wrong and right ways of writing your qualitative research questions.
How would you characterise your attitude towards e-commerce transactions? | How do you feel about online shopping? |
Could you elucidate on the obstacles encountered in your professional role? | What challenges do you face in your job? |
What is your evaluation of the innovative product aesthetic? | What do you think about the new product design? |
Can you elaborate on the influence of social networking platforms on your interpersonal connections? | How has social media impacted your relationships? |
Once you have developed some questions, check if they align with your research objectives. You must ensure that each question contributes to your overall research questions. After this, you can eliminate any questions that do not serve a clear purpose in your study.
While it is tempting to cover multiple aspects of a topic in one question, it is best to focus on a single theme per question. This helps to elicit focused responses from participants. Moreover, you have to avoid combining unrelated concepts into a single question.
If your main research question is complicated, you can create sub-questions with a “ladder structure”. These allow you to understand the attributes, consequences, and core values of your research. For example, let’s say your main broad research question is:
The intermediate questions may be:
It is important to consider your research objectives, target population, resources and needed depth of research when selecting a survey method. The main types of qualitative surveys are discussed below.
Face-to-face surveys involve direct interaction between the researcher and the participant. This method allows observers to capture non-verbal cues, body language, and facial expressions, and helps adapt questions based on participant responses. They also let you clarify any misunderstandings. Moreover, there is a higher response rate because of personal interaction.
Example: A researcher conducting a study on consumer experiences with a new product might visit participants’ homes to conduct a detailed interview.
These type of qualitative research survey questionnaires provide a less intrusive method for collecting qualitative data. The benefits of telephone surveys include, that it allows you to collect data from a wider population. Moreover, it is generally less expensive than face-to-face interviews and interviews can be conducted efficiently.
Example: A market research firm might conduct telephone surveys to understand customer satisfaction with a telecommunication service.
Online survey questionnaires are a convenient and cost-effective way to gather qualitative data. You can reach a wide audience quickly, and participants may feel more comfortable sharing sensitive information because of anonymity. Additionally, there are no travel or printing expenses.
Example: A university might use online surveys to explore students’ perceptions of online learning experiences.
Questionnaires are undoubtedly a great data collection tool. However, it comes with its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s discuss the benefits of questionnaires in qualitative research and their cons as well.
Can be inexpensive to distribute and collect | Can suffer from low response rates |
Allow researchers to reach a wide audience | There is a lack of control over the environment |
Consistent across participants | Once the questionnaire is distributed, it cannot be modified |
Anonymity helps make participants feel more comfortable | Participants may not fully understand questions |
Open-ended questions provide rich, detailed responses | Open-ended questions may not capture the right answers |
Here is a concise qualitative research questionnaire sample for research papers to give you a better idea of its format and how it is presented.
Thank you for participating in our survey. We value your feedback on our new mobile app. Your responses will help us improve the applications and better meet your needs.
A survey research questionnaire can have both qualitative and quantitative questions. The qualitative questions are mostly open-ended, and quantitative questions take the form of yes/no, or Likert scale rating.
Yes, survey questionnaires can be used in qualitative research for data collection. However, instead of a Likert scale or rating, you can post open-ended questions to your respondents. The participants can provide detailed responses to the questions asked.
In qualitative research, questionnaires allow you to collect qualitative data. The open-ended and unstructured questions help respondents present their ideas freely and provide insights.
A survey includes questions relevant to the research topic. The participants are selected, and the questionnaire is distributed to collect the data.
Ethnography is a type of research where a researcher observes the people in their natural environment. Here is all you need to know about ethnography.
Sampling methods are used to to draw valid conclusions about a large community, organization or group of people, but they are based on evidence and reasoning.
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Writing a research question is challenging and requires much more time and thought than you might think.
You cannot write a good thesis if you don’t develop a good research question first. But what makes a research question “good” or “bad?” This article is a practical guide to help you understand the qualities of good and bad research questions . The research question is what guides your research strategy.
Knowing the difference between good and bad research questions will help you stay on the right track as you write your thesis. A simple question that demands a straightforward answer will not be enough for a research question.
Let’s learn more about research questions and what makes them good or bad.
Research questions are one of the most important components of your research paper, thesis, or dissertation . Drafting a research question may initially appear to be the simplest step in conducting research.
But beginning to write a research question without a clear focus can cost you valuable time. A research question is:
Different opinions exist on what makes a research question good or bad . There is no universal way to word the best research questions. However, some elements give your research question greater substance.
Here are some key factors to help you draft an effective research question by comparing qualities between the good and bad ones.
It makes sense that a simple question would have an equally simple answer, but this is inadequate for a research paper. Formulate the right questions and steer clear of those requiring a simple “yes” or “no” response or a few simple phrases.
Bad: Do the US and UK have superior healthcare systems?
Good: How do the healthcare systems in the US and UK vary for treating chronic diseases?
A good research question should be narrowly focused on one subject or a group of concepts that are conceptually related.
If a topic is too broad, you must decide on which part of the topic you want to research for a clear focus. Otherwise, you won’t be able to develop a strong thesis paper.
Bad: Does medication help cure ADHD symptoms in elementary students? And do they need a regular exercise routine?
Good: How well do the various medications work for treating ADHD in elementary school students?
Instead of combining ADHD medication and exercise into the research topic, it’s best to focus solely on medication. As the question hints at the students’ age (elementary students), answering this question will make up a good thesis.
Consider the response you wish to receive as you write your research question. Expressing an opinion or value judgment in your research paper or project is not a good idea. Instead, you should develop a thesis based on statistics and objective evidence.
Bad: Which is the best tourist place?
Good: What features do the most popular tourist places have in common?
The first question only asks for an opinion and cannot serve as an appropriate research question. However, the second question asks for features, and you can use data or a list of features to answer this question better.
You must make your research question as specific as possible. This will provide you with a more thorough answer that is compelling enough to serve as the subject of your thesis.
Bad: What are the effects of meds on people?
Good: What effects does aspirin have on people with low heart pressure?
By explicitly mentioning aspirin and low heart pressure people, you make the question easier to answer with facts and statistics. These details will help you develop a solid and more focused thesis.
“Why” questions are open-ended queries, the ideal choice for interview sessions or featured articles. However, its open-ended nature is the exact opposite of what you need when formulating a research question. You need to ask a question that has a clear, concise answer.
Bad: Why do industries contaminate the groundwater?
Good: How do government-enforced regulations prevent industries from contaminating the water?
A research question is flawed if you can answer it without additional research. It’s best to ask a question that takes a little research to answer. You need a more challenging question if you can find the solution to a research question with a quick web search.
Bad: Has the world’s population increased in the last century?
Good: What factors have contributed to population growth in the past century?
A quick web search can answer the first question. However, the second question necessitates additional research to uncover a suitable response.
It’s simple to research a topic that isn’t controversial, but you won’t likely be contributing anything unique. Instead, pose a research question that is complex and has different aspects. This will help you get more detailed and compelling answers to your question.
Bad: Are illegal drugs harmful to teenage students?
Good: What effective educational measures can prevent drug abuse in teenage students?
Good research questions are open to debate and search for thorough answers. These questions allow people to discuss the subject matter . Compared to good questions, bad research questions are closed off and ask for a specific answer.
They have a very narrow perspective and are focused on one single point of the problem. This article lists the key features of good and bad research questions to help you formulate an effective one for your thesis paper.
Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.
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If your research feels similar to existing articles, make sure to drive home the differences. 5. Complex. Whether it's developed for a thesis or another assignment, a good research topic question should be complex enough to let you expand on it within the scope of your paper.
The figure below gives some examples of good and "not-so-good" research questions. Transcript of this image. Good vs. Bad Research Questions; Good Research Questions. Bad Research Questions. Have no simple answer - are open-ended and consider cause/effect. Have simple or easy answers - can be answered with one word, a number, or a list ...
Use these examples of good and bad research questions to help you prepare to write your own essay or thesis. Dictionary Thesaurus
The first question asks for a ready-made solution, and is not focused or researchable. The second question is a clearer comparative question, but note that it may not be practically feasible. For a smaller research project or thesis, it could be narrowed down further to focus on the effectiveness of drunk driving laws in just one or two countries.
A well-crafted research question (or set of questions) sets the stage for a robust study and meaningful insights. But, if you're new to research, it's not always clear what exactly constitutes a good research question. In this post, we'll provide you with clear examples of quality research questions across various disciplines, so that you can approach your research project with confidence!
Alternatively, here's an example of a good research question: "How does using a vehicle's infotainment touch screen by drivers aged 16 to 18 in the U.S. affect driving habits?" This question is far more specific than the first bad example. It notes the population of the study, as well as the independent and dependent variables.
It can be difficult to come up with a good research question, but there are a few steps you can follow to make it a bit easier. 1. Start with an interesting and relevant topic. Choose a research topic that is interesting but also relevant and aligned with your own country's culture or your university's capabilities.
A good research question is essential to guide your research paper, dissertation, or thesis. All research questions should be: Focused on a single problem or issue. Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources. Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints. Specific enough to answer thoroughly.
5. Review the questions. Evaluate your list of potential questions to determine which seems most effective. Ensure you consider the finer details of every question and possible outcomes. Doing this helps you determine if the questions meet the requirements of a research question. 6.
Characteristics of good and bad research questions are illustrated through the evaluation of three examples. Chapter 1: Qualities of a Good Research Question icon angle down. Start time: 00:00:00; End time: 00:02:21; Chapter 2: Research Question Evaluation #1
The examples of research questions provided in this guide have illustrated what good research questions look like. The key points outlined below should help researchers in the pursuit: The development of a research question is an iterative process that involves continuously updating one's knowledge on the topic and refining ideas at all ...
The process of formulating a good research question can be challenging and frustrating. While a comprehensive literature review is compulsory, the researcher usually encounters methodological difficulties in the conduct of the study, particularly if the primary study question has not been adequately selected in accordance with the clinical dilemma that needs to be addressed.
Assess your chosen research question using the FINER criteria that helps you evaluate whether the research is Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, and Relevant. 1. Formulate the final research question, while ensuring it is clear, well-written, and addresses all the key elements of a strong research question.
Examples—the bad, good, and great. What makes a good research question? While the answer to this is somewhat subjective and undeniably multifaceted, a good question uniformly sparks intrigue from the intended audience. As in all creative and iterative endeavors, one must consider the intended audience when formulating a research question.
The research question is too broad. As you can see there is no clear direction, and the study attempts to take on too much. Bad example - Too broad and unfocussed. The research aims to find out the impact of social media on young people. Now, look at the example below. It is much more focused. We are very specific about our research questions ...
Choose a broad topic, such as "learner support" or "social media influence" for your study. Select topics of interest to make research more enjoyable and stay motivated. Preliminary research. The goal is to refine and focus your research question. The following strategies can help: Skim various scholarly articles.
Below are some examples of "the good, the bad, and the ugly" for a variety of problematic survey question types. The Leading Question Leading questions use biased language that can influence your respondent. Biased language can be present in the question or in response options. Good: Rate your experience with our new product offering.
A good research question should be focused, specific, researchable, and relevant. It should be clear and concise, and it should be able to be answered with available data and resources. Additionally, a good research question should be open-ended and leave room for exploration and discovery.
A bad research question ruins the outcome of your research. So, you must be careful of your questions. Here are some of the features of a good research question: A good research question is focused and straight to the point. A good research question targets and provides a solid answer to the problem. Good research questions provide more depth ...
Examples of Good and Bad Research Questions. ... Good Research Questions Examples. It is important to include clear terms into your questions. Otherwise, it would be difficult for you to plan your investigation properly. Also, they must be focused on a certain subject, not multiple ones. And finally, it should be possible to answer them.
Let's see how to write a good research question by looking at bad and good examples to guide learners struggling with creating this element. Example no. 1: Bad: What is global warming? This question is too broad and general. It is not a research question but more of a basic definition question that can be easily answered with a quick web search.
The research question is normally one of the major components of the final paragraph of the introduction section. We will look at the examples of the entire final paragraph of the introduction along with the research questions to put things into perspective. 2.1. Example #1 (Health sciences research paper)
Another example for a directional one-tailed alternative hypothesis would be that. H1: Attending private classes before important exams has a positive effect on performance. Your null hypothesis would then be that. H0: Attending private classes before important exams has no/a negative effect on performance.
Tip 2: Choose The Structure For Research Questions. There are mostly open-ended questionnaires in qualitative research. They begin with words like "how," "what," and "why." However, the structure of your research questions depends on your research design. You have to consider using broad, overarching questions to explore the main ...
Conclusion. Good research questions are open to debate and search for thorough answers. These questions allow people to discuss the subject matter. Compared to good questions, bad research questions are closed off and ask for a specific answer. They have a very narrow perspective and are focused on one single point of the problem.