How to find an effective research question?

A research question is the predominant part of any research. It guides your entire research project which is why you should know how to develop the foundation of your research that is the ‘Research Question.’

Think of the question as an intricate inquiry that you as a researcher is looking for an answer or solution for. Besides providing a systematic way to conduct the research, the question also emphasis on the primary research methodology, hypothesis and analysis. A research problem represents the area of concern or an existing condition that needs to be improved or worked upon.

1. Basic characteristics of a good research question

Although, there are no set criteria for framing a research question. It should represent a few unique attributes and highlight certain aspects of your research. Before formulating a question for research, ensure it has the following attributes:

• Focus

The research question should solely focus on a single issue instead of talking about multiple problems at once. While articulating the question, clearly state the nature of your research. It should represent the main research problem and should be neither too broad nor too narrow. Here are two examples for research questions to help you understand the context better:

Question 1: What is the impact of social media on consumer awareness?

Question 2: How is Facebook changing and influencing the purchasing behavior of people under 30?

The first question doesn’t address the main research problem or target group. The topic talks about social media in general which makes the topic too broad. On the other hand, the second question mentions the type of social media and research concept. It shows the research is highly feasible and analytical.

• Researchable

Your research problem must be researchable. You should be able to draw quantitative and qualitative results, in the end, using reference academic books and journals. Once you have selected a field of study, you’ll be able to narrow down the topic and choose an analytical question.

• Feasible

Make sure you can address the research question within the limited time frame. Think whether or not you have the time and additional resources for it. Consider the 5W’s and 1 H while framing a research question.

• Specific

The question should be specific, it means it should solve a single problem or issue in the end. It should talk about exactly what you want to investigate via your research.

2. How does a relevant question of research cater to your research?

An effective and engaging research problem keeps the readers interested. Focus on a specific topic as it will guide you throughout the research writing process and make well-informed decisions. No matter the types of research questions you choose, they must firmly define your work of investigation and provide a pathway to your work. Remember a good research question act as a solid frame of reference for your hard work. Here are a few good research problem examples:

• How effective are the various types of vaccinations in treating the symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in people above 60?

• A study on the significant effects of climate change on the ice levels in Antarctica

• How clinical trials are working out for testing COVID-19 vaccines?

The above research question examples are focused and identify exactly what needs to be studied.

3. Types of research questions you can choose

The research questions can be categorized into two types: Qualitative Research Questions and Quantitative Research Questions. Your research question also primarily describes the methods for conducting the research. As a researcher, it is up to you whether you want to base your research independently or want to use both quantitative and qualitative methods co-dependently.

• Qualitative Research Questions

These types of research questions represent a systematic inquiry aiming at qualitative data. Here the researcher gathers non-statistical information in form of experiences, observations and interpretations. The developed research problem must describe a phenomenon or concept. The research is focused on understanding the experiences rather than identifying the variable that causes changes. If your research work includes ethnographic research work, case studies or interviews, then a qualitative research question can represent your research work.

Examples for qualitative research problems:

Question 1: What are the potential side effects of a product/drug/medication?

Question 2: How are online studies affecting the health of children and teenagers in schools?

• Quantitative Research Questions

A question for qualitative research helps the researcher formulate a hypothesis. The research is done based on sample sizes after which the data is gathered, analyzed and summarized for the readers. Your research question must address the quantifiable data. It needs to be more direct, precise and subject-specific. There are further three types of quantitative research questions to choose from:

• The descriptive question highlights the main attributes and characteristics of the subject.

Example: How many hours does the Arizona university students spend online each week?

• A comparative question indicates the relationship between the different research variables.

Example: What are the key differences between consumer behavior on Twitter between American males and females (18 to 25)?

• A relationship-based research question describes the type of association between the research subjects within the same demographic.

Example:

• The relationship between children’s race and their mental health diagnosis in foster care

4. How to formulate the final question of research?

• Choose a field of study and narrow the list of topics. The selected research question should align with your research objectives and requirements.

• Think about the main purpose of your research? Do you want to evaluate a data set or want to verify a proposition?

• Conduct preliminary research to understand the context of your topic. Find out about what type of research work has been done in your field? How was the research conducted? What are the available hypotheses?

• Identify the sub-topics, keywords and address the specific issues through the question.

• Think about the timeframe or other limitations you may encounter during the research work.

• Refine the research subject by outlining the tasks one by one. Use strong words that reflect the importance of your research work.

These steps will help you identify a research question and refine it.