Research Questions
Research Questions are the central element of a research project. They are the questions that you want to answer through your research. Research questions must be specific enough to be well-defined, but not so specific that they can be answered with a simple yes or no. Good research questions will lead to good research projects.
What is a Research Question
A research question is a question that a researcher asks in order to gather data and information to answer a specific question. The research question helps to guide the research process and helps to focus the research. The research question should be specific and focused, and should be able to be answered by the data that is collected.
Also see Purpose of Research
Types of Research Questions
There are many types of research questions that researchers can ask about the world. Some of the most common types of research questions include:
- Descriptive Research Questions
- Comparative Research Questions
- Correlational Research Questions
- Causal Research Questions
- Experimental Research Questions
Descriptive Research Questions
These types of questions ask for a description of something, such as “What is the average lifespan of a human?”
Comparative Research Questions
These types of questions ask for a comparison between two or more things, such as “What is the difference in lifespan between males and females?”
Correlational Research Questions
These types of questions ask if there is a relationship between two or more things, such as “Is there a relationship between diet and lifespan?”
Causal Research Questions
These types of questions ask if one thing causes another, such as Does smoking causes cancer?
Experimental Research Questions
These types of questions ask if there is an effect from a certain group, such as Does drinking alcohol affect the average lifespan?
Research Question Examples
There are different types of research questions that can be used in different situations. The following are some examples of common research questions:
- What is the history of this topic?
- Who are the main characters involved in this issue?
- What are the causes of this problem?
- What are the effects of this phenomenon?
- How has this issue been addressed in the past?
- What are the possible solutions to this problem?
Examples of a Good Research Question
A good research question is a key to a successful research project. It should be specific and focused so that you can collect the data you need to answer it. Here are some examples of good research questions:
- How does the level of education attained by parents affect their children’s educational outcomes?
- What factors contribute to high rates of crime in inner-city neighborhoods?
- How does the presence of a strong support network affect the mental health of individuals with chronic illnesses?
- What are the effects of climate change on plant growth?
- How does social media use affect mental health in teenagers?
- What are the most effective methods for teaching English as a second language?
Also see Research Problem
Examples of a Bad Research Question
A bad research question can render a study meaningless and uninterpretable. The following are three examples of bad research questions:
- Does ice cream consumption cause violent behavior?
- Is there a link between time spent on Facebook and academic performance?
- Do people who wear red shoes have higher IQs than those who don’t?
Each of these questions is potentially interesting, but they are all flawed in terms of being able to produce interpretable results. The first question is too vague – what kind of violence are we talking about? The second question conflates two different things – time spent on Facebook could be a marker for something else, such as social media addiction, that is actually causing the drop in grades. The third question is simply absurd and would likely produce nonsense results.
How to Write a research Question
The following are tips on how to write a research question:
- Define your topic of interest. This will help you focus your research and make it more manageable.
- Look for keywords related to your topic. These can be found in literature reviews or other sources related to your topic.
- Develop a research question that is specific, clear, and concise. Make sure it is something that can be answered within the scope of your project.
- Ask yourself if your research question can be answered through observation or experimentation. If not, it may need to be revised.
- Make sure your research question is testable and has measurable outcomes.
Importance of Research Question
The research question is the most important part of your research project. It is the central question that you will attempt to answer in your project. The research question should be specific, achievable, and relevant to your field of study. A good research question will help you focus your research and keep you on track as you complete your project.
