WRITING A RESEARCH QUESTION

A research question is a question that a study or research project aims to answer. This question
often addresses an issue or a problem, which is answered in the study’s conclusion. In most
studies, the research question is written so that it outlines various aspects of the study, including
the population and variables to be studied and the problem the study addresses.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS MAY BE:

1. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH QUESTION

a. Descriptive
b. Comparative
c. Relationship

2. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH QUESTIONS Qualitative research questions are usually

adaptable, non-directional, and more flexible
a. Contextual
b. Descriptive
c. Emancipatory
d. Evaluative
e. Explanatory
f. Exploratory
g. Generative
h. Ideological

3. (MIXED METHOD RESEARCH QUESTIONS)

EVALUATION OF A RESEARCH QUESTION – FINER MAPS

F – Feasible
I – Interesting
N – Novel
E – Ethical
R – Relevant

M – Manageable
A – Appropriate
P – Potential
S - Systematic
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH QUESTION
“The most successful research topics are narrowly focused and carefully defined but are
important parts of a broad-ranging, complex problem.”
A good RESEARCH QUESTION is an asset as it:
 Details the problem statement
 Further describes and refines the issue under study
 Adds focus to the problem statement
 Guides data collection and analysis
 Sets context of research.

Brainstorm/Concept map for formulating research question

 First, identify what types of studies have been done in the past?
 Is there a unique area that is yet to be investigated or is there a particular question that
may be worth replicating?
 Begin to narrow the topic by asking open-ended “how” and “why” questions
 Evaluate the question
 Develop a Hypothesis
 Draft a rough research question

Writing down the research question

 State the question in your own words
 Write down the Research Question as fully as possible.
Divide your question into concepts. Narrow to two or three concepts
 Specify the population to be studied
 Describe the actual focus of the study
 Determine variables
 Reflect the outcome of interest