Now you need to transform your focused topic into specific, answerable research questions. These questions will guide every decision you make throughout your research process. Think of research questions as the GPS for your project—they tell you exactly where you're going and help you stay on track.
Specific: Use clear language that defines exactly what you're investigating. Avoid vague terms like "effects," "impacts," or "relationships" without specifying what kind. Instead of "How does social media affect teenagers?" ask "How does daily Instagram use correlate with sleep quality among high school students aged 14-18?"
Answerable: You can realistically collect data or evidence to address the question within your constraints. Consider what data you would need and whether you can actually get it. Can you survey people? Access databases? Conduct experiments? If you can't imagine how you'd find the answer, revise the question.
Focused: Neither so broad it's unmanageable nor so narrow it's trivial. A focused question explores one main relationship or phenomenon thoroughly rather than trying to cover everything. "How does technology affect education?" is too broad. "How do iPads affect third-grade math scores?" might be too narrow. "How does tablet use in elementary classrooms affect student engagement in math lessons?" hits the right level.
Original: It addresses a genuine gap or offers a fresh perspective. Your preliminary literature review should have revealed what's already known and what questions remain. Your research question should build on existing knowledge rather than duplicate it.
Significant: The answer will contribute meaningfully to knowledge in your field. Ask yourself: "So what?" If you found the answer to this question, would it matter to other researchers, practitioners, or society? Would it change how people think or behave?
Too Many Questions in One: "How do social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook affect teenagers' self-esteem, academic performance, and social relationships?" This is really asking about multiple platforms, multiple outcomes, and multiple relationships. Pick one platform and one or two closely related outcomes.
Yes/No Questions: "Does exercise help with depression?" can only be answered yes or no, which doesn't lead to interesting research. Better: "What types and frequencies of exercise are most effective for reducing depressive symptoms in college students?"
Questions You Can't Research: "Should the government ban social media for teenagers?" is a policy question that requires value judgments, not research. "What are the psychological effects of social media use on teenagers?" is researchable.
Questions That Are Too Obvious: "Do students who study more get better grades?" The answer is probably yes, and everyone knows it. Look for more nuanced questions: "What study methods are most effective for different learning styles in online courses?"
Understanding different types of research questions can help you craft better ones:
Descriptive: "What are the characteristics of...?" or "How often does...?" These questions aim to describe a phenomenon or situation. Example: "What are the most common coping strategies used by first-generation college students during their freshman year?"
Relational: "What is the relationship between A and B?" These explore connections between variables without necessarily implying causation. Example: "What is the relationship between social media use and academic performance among high school students?"
Causal: "Does X cause Y?" or "What factors contribute to...?" These questions investigate cause-and-effect relationships and are often the most challenging to research. Example: "Does mindfulness training reduce anxiety levels in college students preparing for exams?"
Evaluative: "How effective is...?" or "To what extent does...?" These assess the value or effectiveness of interventions, programs, or approaches. Example: "How effective are peer tutoring programs in improving math achievement among middle school students?"
Comparative: "How does A compare to B?" These questions examine differences between groups, methods, or contexts. Example: "How do online learning outcomes compare to traditional classroom learning outcomes for adult learners?"
Psychology: "Does daily Instagram use correlate with body dissatisfaction levels among female university students aged 18-22?"
Business: "How do AI-driven product recommendations influence purchase intent and brand loyalty in luxury fashion e-commerce?"
Computer Science: "To what extent can blockchain-based identity management enhance data security in IoT smart homes compared to centralized systems?"
Health Sciences: "How does surface texture modification of titanium implants affect osseointegration rates in dental applications?"
Architecture: "How do passive solar design strategies affect indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption in residential buildings in arid climates?"
Engineering: "Can smart sensor networks and predictive analytics improve operational efficiency and reduce maintenance costs in urban water distribution systems?
Sometimes you might need 2-3 related research questions, especially for larger projects. Here's how to do it effectively:
Use a Main Question Plus Sub-Questions: Start with one primary question, then add 1-2 secondary questions that explore related aspects. For example:
Ensure Questions Are Related: All your questions should connect to the same general topic and use similar methods. Don't combine a survey-based question with a laboratory experiment question in the same project.
Keep It Manageable: Remember that each question requires data collection and analysis. Three questions mean three times the work. Make sure you can realistically handle what you're proposing.
Each question specifies what will be measured, in what population, and under what conditions. This specificity is what transforms a vague idea into a roadmap for research.
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