Why formulating a research question is one of the first steps in a research project?
Published on October 26, 2022 by Shona McCombes. Revised on November 11, 2022. A research question pinpoints exactly what you want to find out in your work. A good research question is essential to guide your
research paper, dissertation, or thesis. All research questions should be:
You will usually write a single research question to guide your progress in a research paper or academic essay. Your answer then forms your thesis statement—the central assertion or position that your paper will argue for. A bigger research project, such as a thesis or dissertation, may necessitate multiple research questions or problem statements. However, they should all be clearly connected and focused around a central research problem. How to write a research questionYou can follow these steps to develop a strong research question:
The way you frame your question depends on what your research aims to achieve. The table below shows some examples of how you might formulate questions for different purposes.
Using your research problem to develop your research question
Note that while most research questions can be answered with various types of research, the way you frame your question should help determine your choices. What makes a strong research question?Research questions anchor your whole project, so it’s important to spend some time refining them. The criteria below can help you evaluate the strength of your research question. Focused and researchable
Feasible and specific
Complex and arguable
Relevant and original
Using sub-questions to strengthen your main research questionChances are that your main research question likely can’t be answered all at once. That’s why sub-questions are important: they allow you to answer your main question in a step-by-step manner. Good sub-questions should be:
Here are a few examples of descriptive and framing questions:
Keep in mind that sub-questions are by no means mandatory. They should only be asked if you need the findings to answer your main question. If your main question is simple enough to stand on its own, it’s okay to skip the sub-question part. As a rule of thumb, the more complex your subject, the more sub-questions you’ll need. Try to limit yourself to 4 or 5 sub-questions, maximum. If you feel you need more than this, it may be indication that your main research question is not sufficiently specific. In this case, it’s is better to revisit your problem statement and try to tighten your main question up. Research questions quizFrequently asked questions about research questionsCite this Scribbr articleIf you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
Is this article helpful?You have already voted. Thanks :-) Your vote is saved :-) Processing your vote... What is the reason why formulating a research question is one of the first steps in a research project?Why Is a Research Question Important? A strong research question guides the design of a study. Moreover, it helps determine the type of research and identify specific objectives. Research questions state the specific issue you are addressing and focus on outcomes of the research for individuals to learn.
What is the purpose of formulating research question?Formulation of research question (RQ) is an essentiality before starting any research. It aims to explore an existing uncertainty in an area of concern and points to a need for deliberate investigation.
What is the first step in formulating research questions?Consider following these steps when planning your own research problem:. Identify a general area of interest. ... . Learn more about the problem. ... . Review the context of the information. ... . Determine relationships between variables. ... . Select and include important variables. ... . Receive feedback and revise.. Why research questions are essential in every research?A research question is a sentence that defines what you will examine, within which population, and what the outcome of interest will be. Defining a clear research question is the first and most important part of the project.
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