April Entry Project: Writing research questions

Writing Research Questions

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In this resource you will learn how to write research questions. You will review some example research questions, and try to write your own. R. Elmslie & O. Campbell-Thomson 2016

What are research questions?

A good project needs good research questions. They help you to focus on what you're trying to find, and from this, help you to identify: the background information that you need to read the research method that you will use who or what you're going to sample: e.g. who you will give a questionnaire to what you will ask them  

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Your research questions ask 2 or 3 very specific questions. These show exactly what you want to investigate in your project Everything you do in your research should provide answers to your research questions. If the information you collect doesn't answer your research questions, you probably don't need it.  

Example research questions

A research question often starts with words such as “what” or “how”. For example: What factors contribute to students’ satisfaction with a study space? How does the McCune Smith Building reduce energy use? What has the university done in its new buildings to help students work together? How do students use the McCune Smith Building?

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Good research questions

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Good research questions should be: focused = clear and specific researchable - you must be able to get the information you need to answer them limited - this is only a small project analytical, rather than descriptive - they will allow you to analyse and be critical about an issue, not just describe it in simple words or numbers (adapted from:  https://www.monash.edu/library/help/assignments-research/developing-research-questions) 

Common mistakes with research questions

Avoid writing questions that: are too broad eg What do Scottish people think of the University's development plans? Are you going to ask everyone in Scotland? Can you find a sample of people which is big and accurate enough to represent the Scottish public? No, so this is a bad research question. are too narrow eg How many of the students in April Entry feel inspired by the new University buildings ? This only gives you a number: it doesn't explain anything, show why this number is important or provide sufficient information to develop into a presentation/report. you can answer with yes or no eg Do students like the food on campus? Too narrow again: you can't develop this into a meaningful presentation or report. Also, might a more abstract, less mundane topic help you to develop your academic language and cope with your future academic studies? you will find it difficult to research eg To what extent does demolishing old buildings contradict the University's stated sustainability goals?  Good question and excellent critical thinking - but can you get the information to answer it?  

Now do the practice exercises.

Now try the practice exercises about good and bad research questions. The quiz may open in a new window, depending on your device. Remember to review the answers at the end of the quiz to see the explanations. After you finish, try to write 2-3 research questions for your project. Bring them to your next project tutorial.    

• Practice: writing research questions