How to phrase a research question. How to formulate a research question 2022-12-18
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A research question is a statement that describes the problem or issue that a researcher intends to investigate. It serves as the foundation for the entire research process, as it helps to guide the selection of sources, the design of the study, and the analysis and interpretation of the results.
There are several key considerations to keep in mind when phrasing a research question:
Clarity: The research question should be clearly and concisely stated, so that it is easy to understand and follow. Avoid using technical jargon or ambiguous language that might confuse the reader.
Specificity: The research question should be specific enough to allow the researcher to focus on a particular problem or issue, rather than being too broad or vague.
Relevance: The research question should be relevant to the field of study and contribute to the current body of knowledge. It should address a gap or problem in the existing literature, or seek to test or confirm a previously proposed hypothesis.
Feasibility: The research question should be feasible to investigate given the time, resources, and access to information available to the researcher.
To ensure that the research question meets these criteria, it can be helpful to follow a structured process for developing it. Here are some steps to consider:
Identify the general area of interest: Start by identifying the general topic or area of study that you are interested in. This could be a subject that you have studied in the past, or something that you are curious about.
Narrow the focus: Once you have identified the general area of interest, consider how you can narrow the focus to a specific problem or issue. This may involve reviewing the literature to identify gaps or areas of uncertainty that your research could address.
Define the research question: Once you have identified the specific problem or issue that you want to investigate, you can begin to formulate the research question. This should be a clear, concise statement that describes what you aim to learn or achieve through your research.
Review and revise: Finally, it is important to review and revise the research question to ensure that it is clear, specific, relevant, and feasible. This may involve seeking feedback from colleagues or advisors, or revisiting the literature to ensure that the question is well-aligned with the current state of knowledge in the field.
Overall, phrasing a research question is a critical step in the research process, as it sets the direction and focus for the study. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your research question is well-crafted and focused, and that it will guide your research in a productive and meaningful way.
Writing Strong Research Questions
Wissenschaftlich Schreiben — Ein Praxisbuch für Schreibtrainer und Studierende. Here are some examples of a good question and some bad versions of the same topic and question. Patterns and trends in practice may also provide new insights and potential ideas for research questions. Feasible and specific Criteria Explanation Answerable within practical constraints Make sure you have enough time and resources to do all research required to answer your question. Does this refer to comments, likes, engagement, or just how much time is spent on the social media platform? What should be the process of forming Qualitative research questions and questionnaires? Second, a preliminary review of related literature allows you to spot existing gaps or limitations in existing knowledge of your topic. Keep in mind that sub-questions are by no means mandatory.
How to Write a Good Research Question (w/ Examples)
Developing research questions: A guide for social scientists. In addition, a sample data set that is too large or an experimental timeline that is too long may suggest that the research question is not focused enough. It can be only be determined by accessing the electronic medical records in the hospital and finding the rate. Select the Suitable Structure The next step is determining the structure of the research question. There are some surprising and resourceful ways to find a good research question for your study.
Quantitative research is direct and specific because it aims at collecting information that researchers can measure. However, researchers can cultivate it Lipowski, 2008. When you want to obtain actionable insight into the trends and patterns of the research topic to make sense of it, quantitative research questions are your best bet. Writers can easily search for it online without performing in-depth research. E — Ethical This is one of the more important considerations of making a research question.
Example 2 Here's a research question example for a childbirth report: Clear : How have family planning programs and parental education levels affected the rate of childbirth among 25 to 30-year-old adults? Unclear: What effect does erosion have on the environment? The topic as such will only be dealt with in terms of your specific research question cf. The issue should have a history, but should also be relevant to current concerns. It's also open for debate rather than accepted facts. What does reality look like? If you are taking the English 2010 section on writing about fairy tales, your topic should be about fairy tales. The research question should be in-depth Research papers, A good research question or thesis statement must be sufficiently complex to warrant such a length, as it must stand up to the Research Question Types Qualitative and quantitative research are the two major types of research, and it is essential to develop research questions for each type of study.
Find a research topic that interests you, and get cracking on your initial research. Below are examples of research questions that aim to determine correlations or relationships between variables using a combination of the variables mentioned in research outcome numbers 1 and 2. Moreover, according to Farrugia et al. Moreover, it is best to think of the research question as a Wh-question What? How do you write the research questions? Your research should be seeking to answer a particular question; ideally, one that has not been asked before or one that has not yet been satisfactorily answered. The University of Chicago Press.
How to Write Quantitative Research Questions: Types With Examples
That is why working from the more basic or broadest part of your topic and narrowing down can be a good method. Thus, the intervention becomes more effective than issuing memos to correct the situation without systematic study. Research question examples are sample questions you can reference to help you prepare your own inquiries. This research question often involves population study and dependent and independent variables. Ways of constructing research questions: gap-spotting or problematization? Informal research or quick research doesn't translate well into a 10 page paper. Method Participant characteristics Eligibility and exclusion criteria; Major demographic characteristics as well as important topic-specific characteristics. You may already know that a thesis statement should be specific, and a research question is no different.
This article lists 8 illustrative examples of research questions. What is the relationship between gender and fast food preference in young adults? The first question asks for a ready-made solution, and is not Note that the design of your research question can depend on what method you are pursuing. This information can be obtained without the need to collect unique data. Note that while most research questions can be answered with various What makes a strong research question? Bear in mind: Kruse cf. The criteria below can help you evaluate the strength of your research question.
10 Research Question Examples to Guide your Research Project
Does not demand a conclusive solution, policy, or course of action Research is about informing, not instructing. Definition: Research Question The research question states the aim of a paper in form of a question. In addition, quantitative research questions connect the research question and the research design. Researchers also have the option to develop a single mixed-methods research question. What's the importance of a research question? What to pay attention to when formulating a research question Even especially if you are bursting with excitement about your research topic and have tons of questions about it, it is important to clearly identify the scope of your research. Comparative Comparative research questions help you identify the difference between two or more groups based on one or more variables.
You want a topic that you can thoroughly examine in your paper while still leaving room for additional thought. How to formulate a research question Asking the right questions is the first step Image: Canva. You can never write about everything that is, the whole problem , but only about one aspect of the problem — i. First, you should undertake a preliminary review of related literature to discover issues that scholars and peers are currently discussing. Other scientists and researchers can reproduce an appropriately complex question.
