Tips on Writing a Research Question

A research question should serve as the basis for your research. There are a few important requirements that your research question should meet. Here are some useful tips from Writers house team.

Your research question must be:

• focused: your question must be narrow so that you can answer it properly using a limited number of words;
• complex: one shouldn’t be able to answer the research question with a simple “yes” or “no,” the answer must be based on a synthesis of ideas and analysis of sources;
• clear: the question must be specific and your audience should be able to understand it without additional explanation;
• arguable: the answers must be debatable;
• concise: you should use as few words as possible.

We recommend that you come up with a research question that is really interesting to you. Choose topics you are passionate about.

When developing your research question, take into account your discipline. For example, an appropriate question in Sociology will be different from that appropriate in Biology or Political Science. Don’t be afraid to discuss your research question ideas with your professor.

Why Research Question Is Crucial for the Research Process

Research questions help writers make their research focused and also provide additional guidance for the writing process. Good research questions help writers come up with an arguable and specific thesis statement.

How to Develop a Research Question

1. First of all, you should choose a good general topic. Usually, professional researchers choose topics they are passionate about. We recommend that you always look for a topic that you genuinely want to learn more about.

2. Research your general topic. Check out journals and periodicals to understand what research has already been conducted and what areas need more research. What issues are the most popular among scholars? What questions do you have after reading these articles?

3. Think about your audience. When writing college papers, students are dealing with an academic audience. We recommend that you consider your audience when narrowing down your topic. Who would be interested in your research question?

4. Once you’ve determined your audience and narrowed down the research topic, start asking questions. We recommend that you begin with open-ended questions, such as “why” and “how.”

5. You need to evaluate your question to determine whether they are effective and fit the purpose of your research. Good research questions must help you so we recommend that you ask yourself whether your research question is:

• focused — it should be specific enough so that you can answer it while meeting the word count requirements;
• clear — given that your topic has already been researched, your audience must clearly understand what your research focuses on;
• complex — your research question shouldn’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” or with obvious facts.

6. Think of the possible directions for your research, based on your research question. Determine what sources might be useful. What kind of research will help you get a variety of responses and opinions?

Sample Research Questions

Bad: How should social media address the damage they cause?
Good: What action should Facebook take to protect its users’ private data?

The first question isn’t clear enough because it doesn’t mention specific social networks and specific problems that should be addressed. The clear version of this question indicates the specific website, the group of people damaged by the problem (users), and the problem itself (data protection).

Bad: What are the consequences of global warming?
Good: What are the most significant effects of global warming on California fish species?

The first question is unfocused. It’s too broad so you need to write a very long paper to address all the consequences of global warming. The good version of this question focuses on a particular area and specific species affected by the problem. This question also requires you to formulate an opinion on what effects are most significant.

Bad: How are doctors addressing obesity in the U.S.?
Good: What main factors determine whether Americans will become obese, and how can this information be used to prevent this disease?

The first question is too simple because you can answer it by providing a few facts. It doesn’t require proper analysis. The second version contains two parts, requiring a writer to investigate the issue and to evaluate various facts. Here’s a little suggestion for you: if you can answer a research question by doing a quick Google search, then it’s a bad question.