Research Questions: Introduction

A research question is a clear, focused, and concise inquiry that guides the direction and scope of a research study. It's the central question that a research project aims to answer through systematic investigation and analysis.

Characteristics of Ideal Research Questions

1. Clear: The question should be easily understood and unambiguous.
2. Focused: It should be specific enough to be addressed within the constraints of the research project.
3. Concise: The question should be stated as succinctly as possible while still capturing the essence of the inquiry.
4. Guiding: It shapes the research design, methodology, and analysis.
5. Answerable: The question should be possible to answer through data collection and analysis.

A well-formulated research question typically has these characteristics:

• It addresses a gap in existing knowledge
• It's relevant to the field of study
• It's feasible to investigate given available resources and time
• It's ethically sound

Here are some examples of research questions from different fields:

1. Psychology: "How does chronic sleep deprivation affect cognitive performance in college students?"

This question is clear (it specifies what's being studied - the effect of sleep deprivation on cognition), focused (it narrows down to college students), and guides the research (it implies a need to measure both sleep patterns and cognitive performance).

2. Environmental Science: "What is the impact of microplastic pollution on marine ecosystem biodiversity in the Great Barrier Reef?"

This question is concise yet comprehensive. It specifies the type of pollution (microplastics), the affected area (marine ecosystem in the Great Barrier Reef), and what's being measured (impact on biodiversity).

3. Economics: "How does the implementation of a universal basic income affect job market participation rates in developed countries?"

This question is focused on a specific economic policy (universal basic income) and its impact on a particular aspect of the economy (job market participation). It also narrows the scope to developed countries.

4. Education: "To what extent does the integration of technology in elementary classrooms influence student engagement and learning outcomes?"

This research question is clear about what it's investigating (technology integration in elementary classrooms) and what it aims to measure (influence on student engagement and learning outcomes).

5. Public Health: "How effective are community-based interventions in reducing the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among urban populations in low-income neighbourhoods?"

This question specifies the type of intervention (community-based), the health issue (Type 2 diabetes), and the target population (urban, low-income neighbourhoods), providing a clear direction for the research.

In each of these examples, the research question serves as a roadmap for the study, indicating what will be investigated, how it might be measured, and what kind of conclusions might be drawn. It's the foundation upon which the entire research project is built.

 

Why research questions are important in a thesis:

1. Focus and direction: Research questions provide a clear focus for your study, guiding your methodology and analysis.
2. Scope definition: They help define the boundaries of your research, preventing the study from becoming too broad or unfocused.
3. Relevance: Well-crafted research questions ensure that your work addresses significant issues in your field.
4. Structure: They provide a logical structure for your thesis, influencing how you organize your literature review, methodology, and results.
5. Clarity: Research questions help readers understand exactly what your thesis aims to investigate or solve.
6. Evaluation criteria: They provide a basis for evaluating the success of your research - have you answered the questions you set out to address?

 

Steps to Frame/Design Research Questions:

1. Identify your research topic
2. Conduct preliminary research
3. Narrow your focus
4. Consider the type of research you're conducting
5. Formulate your questions
6. Evaluate and refine your questions

 

Let's go through each step with examples:

1. Identify your research topic: Start with a broad area of interest. Example: Climate change
2. Conduct preliminary research: Read existing literature to understand the current state of knowledge and identify gaps. Example: After reading, you find that there's limited research on the impact of climate change on urban agriculture.
3. Narrow your focus: Choose a specific aspect of your topic to investigate. Example: The effects of rising temperatures on crop yields in urban community gardens
4. Consider the type of research you're conducting: Determine if your research is exploratory, descriptive, or explanatory. Example: This could be an explanatory study examining the relationship between temperature changes and crop productivity.
5. Formulate your questions: Develop clear, focused, and answerable questions. Example: "How do increasing summer temperatures affect tomato yields in New York City's community gardens?"
6. Evaluate and refine your questions: Ensure your questions are specific, relevant, and feasible to answer within your research constraints. Example: You might refine the question to: "What is the relationship between average summer temperatures and tomato yields in Manhattan's community gardens from 2010 to 2023?"

 

Difference between Research Questions and Objectives:

Research questions are the specific queries your study aims to answer, while research objectives are the goals or aims you want to achieve through your research.

Let's illustrate this with examples:

Research Question: "What is the impact of a plant-based diet on Type 2 diabetes management in adults aged 40-60?"

Research Objectives:

1. To assess the effect of a plant-based diet on blood glucose levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
2. To evaluate changes in medication requirements for Type 2 diabetes patients following adoption of a plant-based diet.
3. To compare the efficacy of a plant-based diet versus a standard diabetic diet in managing Type 2 diabetes.

In this example, the research question is the overarching query the study seeks to answer. The objectives break down the specific goals that, when achieved, will help answer the research question.

Another example:

Research Question: "How does social media usage affect sleep patterns in teenagers?"

Research Objectives:

1. To measure the average daily social media usage among teenagers aged 13-18.
2. To analyze the correlation between social media usage duration and sleep duration.
3. To identify which social media platforms have the strongest association with disrupted sleep patterns.
4. To examine the differences in sleep quality between heavy social media users and light/non-users.

Here, the research question is broader, while the objectives outline the specific aspects that will be investigated to comprehensively answer the question.

In summary, research questions define what you want to learn, while research objectives outline what you plan to do to gain that knowledge. Together, they provide a clear roadmap for your research project.

 

Let's look at some examples of theses with multiple research questions:

Example 1: Climate Change and Urban Planning

Main research question: How does climate change impact urban planning strategies in coastal cities?

Sub-questions:

1. What are the primary climate-related challenges facing coastal urban areas?
2. How have successful coastal cities adapted their urban planning to address climate change?
3. What role does community engagement play in developing climate-resilient urban plans?
4. How do the economic costs of climate adaptation measures compare to the potential costs of inaction?

 

Example 2: Social Media and Political Engagement

Main research question: How does social media use influence political engagement among young adults?

Sub-questions:

1. What types of political content do young adults most frequently encounter on social media?
2. How does exposure to political information on social media correlate with offline political activities?
3. To what extent do echo chambers on social media platforms affect young adults' political views?
4. How does the use of different social media platforms (e.g., Twitter vs. TikTok) relate to varying forms of political engagement?

 

Example 3: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Main research question: What is the impact of artificial intelligence on diagnostic accuracy in radiology?

Sub-questions:

1. How does the accuracy of AI-assisted diagnosis compare to that of experienced radiologists?
2. What are the key challenges in implementing AI systems in radiology departments?
3. How does the use of AI in radiology affect workflow efficiency and patient wait times?
4. What are the ethical implications of relying on AI for medical diagnoses?

In these examples, the main research question provides the overarching focus of the thesis, while the sub-questions break down specific aspects to be investigated. This approach allows for a comprehensive examination of the topic while maintaining a coherent structure.