Bagaimana Membuat Pertanyaan Penelitian?

Introduction

Creating a research question is a crucial step in any academic study, as it sets the direction and scope of your research. This tutorial will guide you through the process of formulating effective research questions that are clear, focused, and researchable. Whether you are working on a thesis, dissertation, or any research project, mastering this skill will enhance the quality of your work.

Step 1: Identify Your Research Topic

• Choose a broad area of interest that you are passionate about.
• Conduct preliminary research to gather background information.
• Narrow down your topic to a specific issue or problem that needs exploration.

Step 2: Conduct a Literature Review

• Review existing literature related to your topic to understand what has already been studied.
• Identify gaps in the current research that your study could address.
• Take notes on key findings, methodologies, and questions posed by other researchers.

Step 3: Define Your Research Purpose

• Clearly articulate what you want to achieve with your research.
• Consider the following:
  • Are you trying to solve a problem?
  • Do you want to explain a phenomenon or explore relationships?
  • Is your goal to develop new theories or test existing ones?

Step 4: Formulate Specific Research Questions

• Transform your research purpose into specific questions.
• Ensure that your questions are:
  • Clear and concise
  • Focused on a single issue
  • Researchable within the time and resources you have

Types of Research Questions

• Descriptive Questions: Aim to describe characteristics or phenomena (e.g., "What are the effects of...").
• Comparative Questions: Explore differences between groups (e.g., "How do A and B differ in...").
• Causal Questions: Investigate cause-and-effect relationships (e.g., "What is the impact of A on B?").

Step 5: Evaluate Your Research Questions

• Assess your questions for clarity and focus:
  • Are they specific enough to guide your research?
  • Do they align with your research purpose?
  • Can they be answered through empirical data collection and analysis?

Step 6: Revise and Refine Your Questions

• Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine your questions.
• Make adjustments based on their input to enhance clarity and relevance.
• Ensure your final questions are feasible given your research timeline and resources.

Conclusion

Formulating a strong research question is essential for guiding your research effectively. By following these steps—identifying your topic, conducting literature reviews, defining your purpose, and crafting specific questions—you can develop clear and impactful research inquiries. As you proceed with your research, remember to stay flexible and open to refining your questions as needed. Happy researching!