What is a Research Question?
A research question is a clear, focused question that guides a study or investigation. It defines the specific topic the researcher aims to explore or address, helping to narrow down the scope of the research.
What is a Good Research Question?
A good research question is specific rather than broad or vague. It is researchable, meaning it can be investigated using the available methods, tools, and resources. Relevance is crucial; the question should address a significant issue or gap in the field, making the research worthwhile. Additionally, it should be original, contributing new insights or perspectives rather than repeating what is already well-known. A good research question is also complex, going beyond simple yes or no answers and requiring in-depth analysis or explanation.
How to Write a Research Question?
Below are the steps for writing a strong research question.
Identify a broad topic:
Start by selecting a subject area of interest or relevance to your field of study.
Conduct preliminary research:
Review existing literature to understand what has already been studied and identify gaps or areas that need further investigation.
Narrow the focus:
Refine your broad topic into a specific aspect or issue that can be researched in detail.
Formulate the question:
Turn your focused topic into a clear, concise question that is specific, researchable, and relevant.
Ensure complexity:
Make sure the question requires more than a simple answer and encourages analysis or critical thinking.
Test feasibility:
Check that the question can be answered within the available time, resources, and research methods.
Research Question Examples:
Below are examples of research questions on different subjects.
Good Research Question Examples:
- What are the most effective strategies for reducing workplace stress in remote employees?
- How does climate change affect biodiversity in tropical rainforests?
- What impact does social media usage have on the self-esteem of teenagers?
- How do cultural differences influence consumer behavior in global marketing?
- What are the long-term effects of online education on student learning outcomes?
Qualitative Research Questions Examples:
- How do teachers perceive the impact of technology on student engagement?
- What are the lived experiences of first-generation college students?
- How do cancer survivors cope with post-treatment challenges?
- What are the factors that influence people’s decision to adopt vegan diets?
- How do individuals with chronic pain describe their experiences of healthcare?
- What are the experiences of minority women in leadership roles in the corporate sector?
- How do people experience social isolation in urban settings?
- What role does storytelling play in shaping cultural identity among indigenous groups?
- How do parents of children with autism perceive their support networks?
- What are the emotional effects of infertility on couples?
Quantitative Research Question Examples:
- Does daily exercise reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged adults?
- What is the relationship between socioeconomic status and academic performance in high school students?
- How does sleep duration affect cognitive performance in adults aged 40-60?
- What is the effect of a high-protein diet on muscle mass among athletes?
- Does smartphone usage affect attention span in college students?
- How does class size impact student achievement in primary schools?
- What is the prevalence of depression among university students?
- Is there a correlation between video game playing and aggression in adolescents?
- How does income level affect life expectancy in different regions?
- Does workplace diversity improve employee productivity in large corporations?
Dissertation Research Question Examples:
- How do organizational leaders foster innovation in the tech industry?
- What is the impact of leadership style on employee retention in startups?
- How do social media influencers affect consumer purchasing decisions?
- What are the factors influencing voter turnout in local elections?
- How do climate policies influence economic growth in developing countries?
- What role does parental involvement play in early childhood education?
- How does access to healthcare services impact maternal mortality rates?
- What are the challenges in implementing e-learning in rural schools?
- How do financial crises affect housing markets in urban areas?
- What is the role of gender in career advancement in the banking industry?
Nursing Research Question Examples:
- What is the effect of nurse-led interventions on patient recovery times in post-surgical units?
- How does burnout impact job satisfaction among emergency room nurses?
- What are the barriers to implementing telemedicine in rural nursing practice?
- How does the nurse-patient ratio affect patient outcomes in intensive care units?
- What is the impact of mindfulness training on stress reduction in oncology nurses?
- How do nurses perceive the role of family in palliative care settings?
- What are the challenges faced by nurses in managing chronic pain in elderly patients?
- How does continuing education impact nursing practice in critical care?
- What are the effects of rotating shifts on sleep patterns among hospital nurses?
- How does communication between nurses and physicians influence patient safety?
Psychology Research Question Examples:
- How does social media affect body image satisfaction in adolescents?
- What is the relationship between parenting style and child aggression?
- How does cognitive-behavioral therapy impact anxiety levels in adults with phobias?
- What is the effect of mindfulness on reducing symptoms of depression?
- How does early childhood trauma influence adult attachment styles?
- What role does personality type play in career satisfaction?
- How do coping mechanisms influence resilience in individuals experiencing grief?
- What is the impact of sleep deprivation on decision-making processes?
- How does group therapy affect the self-esteem of individuals with substance abuse disorders?
- What is the relationship between childhood bullying and later social anxiety?
Biology Research Question Examples:
- How does temperature change affect the growth rates of coral reefs?
- What role do genetic mutations play in the development of cancer?
- How do invasive species impact the ecosystems they enter?
- What is the effect of environmental pollutants on plant biodiversity in rainforests?
- How does climate change influence the migration patterns of birds?
- What role do gut microbiomes play in human metabolism?
- How does exposure to pesticides affect bee populations and pollination?
- What is the impact of antibiotics on bacterial resistance in human populations?
- How do epigenetic changes influence gene expression in humans?
- What are the effects of deforestation on soil erosion and nutrient cycling?
Science Research Question Examples:
- How does solar energy efficiency vary with different types of photovoltaic cells?
- What are the effects of microplastics on marine life in oceans?
- How does the application of nanotechnology impact cancer treatment?
- What role does artificial intelligence play in climate modeling?
- How do alternative energy sources affect greenhouse gas emissions?
- What is the relationship between air pollution and respiratory health in urban populations?
- How do genetically modified crops affect biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems?
- What is the impact of CRISPR technology on genetic diseases?
- How does ocean acidification affect shellfish populations?
- What are the potential applications of quantum computing in cryptography?
Sociology Research Question Examples:
- How does income inequality affect access to higher education in urban areas?
- What is the impact of social media on political activism among young adults?
- How do gender roles influence career choices in different cultures?
- What is the relationship between neighborhood safety and community cohesion?
- How does immigration policy affect family dynamics in multicultural societies?
- What are the effects of mass incarceration on social inequality in the U.S.?
- How does homelessness impact access to healthcare services?
- What role does religion play in shaping social values in contemporary society?
- How do social networks influence employment opportunities in marginalized communities?
- What is the impact of aging populations on social security systems in developed countries?
Education Research Question Examples:
- How does teacher feedback influence student motivation in high school classrooms?
- What is the impact of online learning on student performance in higher education?
- How do peer interactions affect learning outcomes in group-based classrooms?
- What is the effect of standardized testing on creativity in primary school students?
- How does parental involvement influence academic success in elementary school children?
- What are the barriers to integrating technology in low-income schools?
- How do teacher expectations influence student behavior and achievement?
- What is the impact of bilingual education on language development in children?
- How does socioeconomic status affect access to educational resources?
- What are the effects of school uniforms on student discipline and academic performance?
Medicine Research Question Examples:
- How do vaccines affect the spread of infectious diseases in developing countries?
- What are the long-term effects of childhood obesity on cardiovascular health?
- How does genetic testing improve personalized medicine for cancer patients?
- What is the relationship between air pollution and asthma prevalence in urban populations?
- How do diet and lifestyle influence the progression of Type 2 diabetes?
- What are the effects of telemedicine on patient outcomes in rural areas?
- How does early detection of Alzheimer’s disease impact treatment effectiveness?
- What is the role of gut microbiota in autoimmune diseases?
- How does antibiotic resistance impact the treatment of bacterial infections in hospitals?
- What is the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in treating degenerative diseases?
History Research Question Examples:
- How did World War II influence women’s roles in the workforce?
- What were the social and economic effects of the Great Depression in rural America?
- How did the fall of the Roman Empire affect trade across Europe?
- What role did propaganda play in shaping public opinion during the Cold War?
- How did the Industrial Revolution change labor conditions in 19th-century Britain?
- What were the causes and consequences of the French Revolution?
- How did colonialism impact cultural identities in Africa?
- What was the role of religion in shaping medieval European politics?
- How did the Civil Rights Movement influence legislation in the United States?
- What were the economic effects of the transatlantic slave trade on European countries?
Difference between Research Question, Hypothesis and Objective with Example
A Research Question is an open-ended inquiry that seeks to explore a specific topic or problem. It guides the direction of the study but does not predict an outcome.
A Hypothesis, on the other hand, is a specific, testable statement that predicts the relationship between variables, based on prior knowledge or theory.
A Research Objective is a clear, focused goal that outlines what the researcher aims to achieve by the end of the study. Objectives are actionable steps taken to address the research question.
Example:
Research Question: How does social media usage affect academic performance in college students?
Hypothesis: College students who spend more than three hours per day on social media will have lower GPAs compared to those who spend less time.
Research Objective: To analyze the relationship between time spent on social media and GPA among college students and to identify patterns of usage that may impact academic performance.
