How to Write a Research Question

Writing a research question is the foundation of any study. It guides your investigation, keeps your work focused, and helps you stay on track. Below is a straightforward guide to creating effective research questions.

Understanding Research Questions

A research question is a clear, focused question that your study aims to answer. It should be specific enough to explore deeply but broad enough to allow meaningful analysis. A good research question avoids simple "yes/no" answers and instead encourages exploration of causes, relationships, or impacts.

Steps to Create a Research Question

1. Start with a General Topic

Choose a topic that genuinely interests you. For example, if you like technology, you might start with a broad topic like "social media." This gives you room to explore without being too narrow.

2. Do Preliminary Research

Look up existing studies or articles about your topic. This helps you understand what's already been done and identify gaps. For instance, if you find many studies about social media and teenagers but none about its impact on sleep, that gap could become your focus.

3. Narrow Your Focus

Use the information from your research to refine your topic. Ask yourself:

Who is affected? (e.g., teenagers, college students)
What specific issue will I study? (e.g., sleep patterns, academic performance)
Where does this happen? (e.g., urban areas, specific countries)
When does this occur? (e.g., during exam periods, over a year)

For example:

Too broad: How does social media affect people?
Better: How does late-night social media use affect sleep quality in college students?

4. Test Your Question

Use the FINER criteria to check if your question is:

Feasible: Can you answer it with available resources and time?
Interesting: Does it matter to your audience or field?
Novel: Does it add new insights?
Ethical: Can you study it without harming participants?
Relevant: Does it address a real-world problem?

If your question meets these criteria, it's likely strong.

5. Use Frameworks to Structure Your Question

Frameworks like PICOT help organize your thoughts:

Population (e.g., college students)
Intervention (e.g., social media use after 10 PM)
Comparison (e.g., students who don't use social media late)
Outcome (e.g., sleep quality)
Timeframe (e.g., over one semester)

This turns a vague idea into a precise question:
Does limiting social media use after 10 PM improve sleep quality in college students over one semester?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too broad: Why is climate change bad?
Too narrow: How many people in Seattle recycled in 2023?
Yes/No questions: Does exercise reduce stress?
Unclear terms: Is technology good for society? (Replace "good" with measurable outcomes like "productivity" or "mental health").