How to Write Your Research Questions

The research question is one of the essential parts of a thesis. It focuses on the study, regulates the methodology, and guides all the stages of investigation, analysis, and finally answers the problem statement. There is a difference between your topic and your research question. The topic is meaningless without a good research question. Your research question should reflect and elaborate a deeper understanding of your topic. (Demir & Kaçan, 2015).

Your research question should also seek to erase all ambiguity about your research problem. It may even guide you in the type of investigation you should conduct, identify the type of data you should collect, and lead you to a proper analytical approach of your data. In short, a good research question helps you to focus on finishing your investigation without wasting much time and resources. Moreover, good research questions create a corridor to your research. They act even like the spine of your proposal and later, your thesis. Good questions are the ones that can be answered by researchers as they are supported by evidence. In short, good research questions that lead to investigations help eliminate serious problems from our society. (Tenenberg & Josh, 2014).

Tips for Writing Research Questions

1. Choose a topic that interests you and your readers. It must be thought-provoking.
2. Make an investigation of your topic by going through scholarly journals to see what questions are raised by your peers. Take note of what questions are not raised so that you can add them to your list.

3. Your research question should not be answered just by simple facts; it should require critical analysis and field-tested research.

4. Your research question should not cover an area that is too broad or too narrow. If it is too narrow, you will have difficulty finding relevant information.

5. Do not forget to show your research questions to your supervisor before going into details.