Many researchers are eager to dive into their projects without giving due consideration to this pivotal aspect.
Merely having ideas about the topic is not sufficient; what you need is a well-defined research question to rationalise the need for investigation.
Without a clear question, your project lacks direction and purpose.
The importance of getting the research questions right
A research question is indeed the central query that a research project seeks to address. Its primary purpose is to delineate the scope of the study, ensuring clarity and coherence in the research process. Research questions can evolve and be refined as the researcher engages with relevant literature, allowing for the development of a robust framework for the study.
Importantly, these questions guide decisions regarding factors such as sample selection, sample size, data collection methods, and analysis techniques, ensuring that the research stays focused and aligned with its objectives.
Crafting research questions is a fundamental aspect of research, as it directs the selection of appropriate research methodology.
Suggested method for developing research questions
1. Understand the Context: Start by defining your specific area of interest and pinpointing the problem you aim to tackle. Clearly articulate this issue within the broader scope of your research.
If you’re struggling, delve into theoretical frameworks and existing literature to deepen your comprehension. Whilst doing the preliminary search, look for any potential gaps that could be investigated. Remember to ground your research question in the existing body of knowledge.
2. Formulate the Question: Once you have established the topic, described the problem, and identified any gaps, it’s time to formulate your research question.
This question serves as the cornerstone of your study, guiding your inquiry and shaping the direction of your research.
3. Brainstorm Questions: Generate a variety of research questions related to your topic or identified gap. Start them with interrogatives like How, What, Why, When, and Who.
From this pool of questions, pinpoint one that could serve as the primary question. Great, you have now defined a clear, concise, and focused research question. Determine whether these questions can be addressed within one study or if multiple studies are necessary.
It’s advisable to establish a single primary research question. Nevertheless, larger studies often use more than one research question.
4. Draft Subsidiary Questions: Lastly, outline smaller questions that address how you will answer the main research question.
The FINER Criteria List
Hulley et al. (2007) proposed the FINER criteria to assess the quality of research questions:
- Feasible Questions: Is the research question practical and achievable within the resources and constraints available to the researcher?
- Interesting Questions: Does the research question captivate the researcher’s interest and hold relevance for both the researcher and the target population or peers?
- Novel Questions: Does the research question offer the potential to contribute new insights, knowledge, or perspectives to the field of study?
- Ethical Questions: Is the research question ethically sound, meaning it aligns with ethical principles and is likely to gain approval from relevant authorities overseeing research ethics?
- Relevant Questions: Does the research question address a topic or issue that is pertinent and meaningful to the scientific community or the field of study?
Taking the time to craft research questions at the onset of a project can significantly enhance its quality, it’s worthwhile to invest this initial effort as it lays the foundation for a structured and focused investigation.
By formulating clear and concise research questions and using the right strcuture, researchers can better define the scope of their study, identify key variables, and establish a roadmap for data collection and analysis.
If you encounter challenges in formulating these questions and need additional help, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from me. Drop me a message from my The Arke profile and i’ll be happy to chat more.
