RESEARCH QUESTIONS GUIDE
Research Questions Guide: How to Develop Strong Research Questions.
Learn how to turn a broad research topic or problem into focused, answerable research questions that align with your research aim, objectives and methodology.
RESEARCH PLANNING
What is a research question?
A research question is a focused question that defines what a study is seeking to investigate or understand. It provides direction for the research and helps determine what evidence needs to be collected and analysed.
A strong research question should be sufficiently focused to be investigated within the available time and resources while still being meaningful in relation to the research problem and wider academic context.
01
Research Problem
Defines the issue, gap or problem that provides the reason for conducting the research.
02
Research Questions
Translate the research problem into focused questions that the study will investigate.
03
Research Objectives
Express what the research intends to achieve through specific and achievable outcomes.
EXPLORE
Types of Research Questions
Different research designs require different kinds of questions. The wording and structure should reflect what the study is trying to investigate.
Exploratory Questions
Questions designed to investigate a topic, experience or phenomenon where the researcher seeks deeper understanding.
Detailed guide coming soon →
Descriptive Questions
Questions focused on describing characteristics, behaviours, patterns or conditions within a particular population or context.
Detailed guide coming soon →
Explanatory Questions
Questions that investigate relationships, influences or possible explanations for a particular phenomenon.
Detailed guide coming soon →
Qualitative Questions
Open-ended questions that explore experiences, perceptions, meanings, motivations and social or organisational phenomena.
Detailed guide coming soon →
Quantitative Questions
Questions designed around measurable variables, relationships, differences, frequencies or statistical associations.
Detailed guide coming soon →
Mixed-Methods Questions
Questions that bring together qualitative and quantitative perspectives within a broader research design.
Detailed guide coming soon →
BUILDING BETTER QUESTIONS
What makes a strong research question?
A useful research question should have a clear connection to the research problem and should be possible to investigate using appropriate evidence. It should also be focused enough to avoid producing an overly broad or unmanageable study.
RELATED RESEARCH DESIGN
Research questions and methodology should work together
The questions a researcher asks influence the type of evidence required and therefore the methodological choices made during the study. A well-designed research project maintains a clear connection between its questions, objectives, methodology, data collection and analysis.
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