How to Develop a STRONG Research Question | Scribbr 🎓

Introduction

Developing a strong research question is crucial for guiding your research paper, project, or thesis. A well-formulated question provides clarity and focus, ensuring your work has a solid foundation. This tutorial will walk you through five essential steps to create an effective research question, along with a checklist to assess its strength.

Step 1: Identify Your Topic

• Start by selecting a broad topic of interest related to your field of study.
• Conduct preliminary research to gather background information and understand the context.
• Narrow down your topic to a specific area that intrigues you and is manageable for your research.

Step 2: Conduct a Literature Review

• Review existing literature related to your narrowed topic to identify gaps or unresolved issues.
• Look for trends, debates, and unanswered questions in the current research.
• Take notes on key findings, methodologies, and areas that require further investigation.

Step 3: Formulate Your Research Question

• Based on your literature review, draft a specific question that addresses the identified gap.
• Ensure your question is clear, focused, and researchable. It should aim to generate new insights or knowledge.

Consider the following formats for your question

• Descriptive questions that ask "what" or "how."
• Comparative questions that explore differences or similarities.
• Causal questions that examine cause-and-effect relationships.

Step 4: Evaluate Your Research Question

Use the following criteria to assess the strength of your question

• Clarity: Is the question specific and understandable?
• Researchability: Can the question be answered through research methods?
• Relevance: Does it contribute to your field of study?
• Feasibility: Is it possible to address the question within your time and resources?
• Refine your question based on this evaluation to enhance its quality.

Step 5: Consider Multiple Research Questions

• If your topic is broad, consider breaking it down into multiple research questions.
• This approach allows for a more comprehensive exploration of the subject matter.
• Ensure that each question is related and collectively contributes to your overall research aim.

Conclusion

Creating a strong research question is a vital step in the research process. By following these five steps—identifying your topic, conducting a literature review, formulating and evaluating your question, and considering multiple questions—you will establish a solid foundation for your research project. As you progress, continually revisit and refine your question to ensure it remains relevant and focused. Happy researching!