Research Questions

Session 4
What is a research question?
• A research question is a clear, concise, and specific inquiry that
outlines the focus of a research study or investigation.
• It is a foundational element of the research process and guides the
entire research endeavor, helping to define the purpose, scope, and
direction of the study.
Well formulated research question should
be:
• Clear: The question should be easily understood and free of ambiguity. It should convey a precise idea of what
the researcher aims to investigate.
• Concise: The question should be succinct and to the point. It should capture the essence of the research topic
without unnecessary complexity.
• Specific: The question should be focused on a particular aspect of the topic, rather than being too broad or
general.
• Researchable: The question should be something that can be investigated through research methods, data
collection, and analysis.
• Relevant: The question should address an issue that is important and relevant within the context of the field of
study.
• Feasible: The question should be something that can be realistically explored within the available time,
resources, and constraints of the research.
• Open-ended: While the question should be specific, it should also allow for various possible answers and
interpretations. This encourages deeper exploration and analysis.
• Original: Ideally, the question should contribute to the existing body of knowledge by exploring new ideas,
perspectives, or relationships.
Types of research questions
• Descriptive questions
• Comparative questions
• Explanatory questions
• Normative questions
Descriptive questions
• Descriptive research questions aim to provide a detailed and accurate
portrayal of a phenomenon, situation, or group.
• They seek to describe what exists, how things are, or what
characteristics are present.
• These questions focus on gathering factual information and
presenting an objective view of the subject of interest.
• Descriptive questions often use words like "what," "who," "where,"
"when," and "how."
• For example, a descriptive question could be: "What are the main features of
consumer behavior in online shopping?"
Comparative questions
• Comparative research questions involve the comparison of two or
more variables, groups, or situations to identify similarities,
differences, patterns, or relationships between them.
• These questions explore how different factors influence outcomes
and often use words like "compare," "contrast," "differentiate," or
"similarities."
• An example of a comparative question is: "How does the academic
performance of students who attend public schools compare to those in
private schools?"
Explanatory questions
• Explanatory research questions seek to understand the reasons,
causes, or factors that underlie a particular phenomenon or behavior.
• They delve into the why and how of a situation, aiming to uncover
relationships and provide insight into causal mechanisms.
• Explanatory questions often involve terms like "why," "how," "cause,"
and "effect."
• An explanatory question could be: "What factors contribute to the prevalence
of obesity among adolescents in urban areas?"
Normative questions
• Normative research questions address issues of value, ethics, and
standards.
• They explore what should or ought to be, rather than just describing
what is.
• Normative questions are common in philosophical, ethical, and policy-
related research.
• These questions often use terms like "should," "ought to," "ethical,"
and "moral."
• For instance, a normative question could be: "What ethical considerations
should guide the use of artificial intelligence in autonomous vehicles?"
Origins of research questions
• Personal experiences
• Published studies and influential data
• Empirical material produced during research process
• Technological Advances
• Socio-cultural changes
• Review of literature
• Reflections
Process of formulating research questions
• Generate knowledge contribution
• Achieve firm base, what has been done previously
• Make sure, research questions are not created in beginning of
research
Queries