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Research question

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Research question(s) are fundamental for guiding the conduct and reporting of scientific research studies. A question specifies a purpose and a destination.

The research question provides the DNA for a successful research project. Therefore, time invested in development and refinement of research questions is generally well spent.

Note that a research question differs from an aim or objective; for one thing, it ends with a question mark.

Developing research questions

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  1. In the early stages of research projects, brainstorm a series of possible research questions
  2. Formulate research questions based on:
    • One or more theories
    • Critical reading of research
    • Real-world observations
  3. Consider and discuss the pros and cons of each question, then select, and refine
  4. Use open-ended research questions (e.g., What is the effect of s on t?) rather than closed-ended questions (e.g., Is u better w?), although the latter may be appropriate in some specific cases.
  5. Once research question(s) are established, consider generating hypotheses, which are generally more specific statements to be tested.
  6. A well-developed research question provides a clear focus for the design and conduct of the study. However, it may be necessary to revise the question during the conduct of a study.
  7. Research questions can be written in sentences and paragraphs. They can also be numbered.

Are questions researchable?

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  • Meaningful
    • Has the research question already been satisfactorily answered?
    • Does the research question matter? (is the topic worth investigating in theoretical and practical terms)?
  • Is the research specific (focused) enough? (e.g., these questions are too broad: Is psychotherapy effective? Can attitudes be changed?)
  • Can the research question be answered on an empirical basis? (e.g., does god exist? No. Is caramel the tastiest ice-cream flavour? Yes.)
  • Can the research question be refined to specific, testable hypotheses?

Example generic forms

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  • What is the relationship between a and b?
  • What is the difference between f and g?
  • Why do people do h?
  • What is the effect of x on y?

Example research questions

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  • What is the relationship between social support and mental health?
  • What is the difference in mortality rates between countries with above and below 10% of Gross Domestic Product expenditure on healthcare?
  • Why do people engage in physical exercise?
  • How can the lifespan of a soap bubble be extended in different temperatures and atmospheric conditions?

Criteria for assessing research questions

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A research question can be assessed against the criteria represented by the acronym FINERMAPS (Hulley & Cummings, 2007; Ratan et al., 2019):

  • Feasible
  • Interesting
  • Novel
  • Ethical
  • Relevant
  • Manageable
  • Appropriate
  • Potential value and publishability
  • Systematic
Criteria for assessing research questions
Criteria Description
Feasible The research can be realistically conducted within the available time, resources, and access to necessary data.
Interesting The research question captivates the researcher's curiosity and sustains their motivation.
Novel The research introduces new insights or perspectives, differing from existing studies.
Ethical The research adheres to ethical standards, minimizing harm and ensuring participant rights.
Relevant The research addresses a meaningful gap or issue in the chosen field, contributing to academic or practical knowledge.
Manageable The research scope is practical and within the researcher's capability to execute.
Appropriate The research question aligns with logical, scientific, and institutional standards.
Potential value and publishability The research has the potential to impact practice, policy, or knowledge, making it worthy of publication.
Systematic The research follows a structured, methodical approach while allowing for creative thinking.

See also

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References

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Hulley S. B., & Cummings S. R. (2007). Conceiving the research question . In: S. B. Hulley, S. R. Cummings, W. S. Browner, D. Grady, N. Hearst, T. B. Newman (Ed.) Designing clinical research (pp. 17–25). Williams & Wilkins.

Ratan, S. K., Anand, T., & Ratan, J. (2019). Formulation of research question–Stepwise approach. Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons, 24(1), 15–20.

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