How to Develop Research Questions?

Creating Research Questions: A Step-by-Step Guide

Note: 

The major phases in developing research topics are summarised in this heading. 

Introduction

Identifying the Research Area or Topic Understanding the Purpose of Research Questions

Step 1: 

Review of Literature and Background Information

Conducting a Thorough Literature Review and 

Finding Gaps and Unresolved Issues

Step 2: 

Selecting a Research Approach 

Taking a Phenomenological Viewpoint

Investigating Epistemological Issues

Making a Theoretical Framework Decision

Step 3: 

Brainstorming and Idea Selection

Developing First Concepts and Ideas

Research Goals: Clarification and Improvement

Step 4: 

Creating Specific and Clear Research Questions

Creating Both Focused and Open-Ended Questions

Research Questions in Relation to Objectives and Hypotheses

Ensure Relevance and Feasibility/reliability

Step 5: 

Analysis and Improvement of Research Questions

Looking for Consistency and Clarity

evaluating the testability and measurement of questions

Step 6: 

Reviewing and Requesting Feedback

Including constructive criticism 

incorporating feedback from others and expert input

Conclusion 

The significance of carefully crafted research questions

The development of research questions is iterative.

How research questions are created and what part do phenomenology and epistemology play in that process?

Phenomenology is a philosophical school of thought that emphasizes people's individualized experiences and viewpoints. You might look into concerns about comprehending and describing people's actual experiences, perceptions, and interpretations of a specific occurrence when taking phenomenology into account while formulating research questions. The objective is to understand the phenomenon's essence from the viewpoint of individuals who are experiencing it.

Example:

What are the actual experiences of people who have changed careers?

Epistemology: The study of knowledge and how it is acquired is referred to as epistemology. It entails investigating the types of knowledge, their sources, and the standards for judging knowledge claims. By encouraging researchers to think about how knowledge is created and how it might be studied, epistemology has an impact on research questions.

Example:

How do various knowledge sources, such as firsthand information and scholarly study, add to our understanding of climate change?

In addition to phenomenology and epistemology, the following variables may also have an impact on how research questions are formulated:

Theories or conceptual frameworks that give a study a conceptual foundation may serve as a guide for research topics. Researchers can better comprehend phenomena and formulate targeted research questions by using theoretical viewpoints.

Example:

How can the social identity theory explain how attitudes toward immigration and group membership relate to one another?

Real-world applications and practical concerns can also serve as a driving force behind research questions. They may focus on particular challenges or situations and seek to produce answers or insights that can be put into practice.

Example:

What are the best methods for lowering staff turnover in the healthcare sector?

Research questions frequently originate from gaps in our current understanding or from open issues in the literature. Researchers can add fresh perspectives and broaden the body of existing knowledge by examining these knowledge gaps.

Consider the following scenario:

"What factors contribute to the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in the technology sector?"

Keep in mind that research questions should be precise, pertinent, and unambiguous. In the context of the study, it should also be possible to investigate them. Depending on the study discipline and methodology, the choice of research questions may require a combination of these elements.

You could be thinking about the word "methodology." The general approach and methods used to carry out research, such as data collecting, analysis, and interpretation, are referred to as methodology. It includes the precise techniques and steps used to answer the study's questions and accomplish its goals.

Since the approach chosen affects how the research questions will be answered, they are intimately related. The ways that various research methodologies, such as qualitative, quantitative, or hybrid methods, collect and analyze data vary.

For example:

Methodology for qualitative research: 

A qualitative technique may be appropriate if your research questions are intended to investigate subjective experiences, meanings, or social interactions. To gather in-depth, descriptive data would require techniques like focus groups, observations, and interviews. 

Quantitative research methodology: 

A quantitative technique would be appropriate if your research issues call for numerical data and statistical analysis. This involves approaches like experiments or surveys, where data is gathered and analyzed with statistical methods. 

Mixed-methods research:

 To more thoroughly answer research issues, researchers may occasionally combine qualitative and quantitative techniques. To better comprehend the phenomenon, this method collects both qualitative and quantitative data and integrates them.

The approach chosen should be in line with the study aims and issues, as well as any practical considerations like time and resource limits. The chosen methodology must also be evaluated in terms of its ethical implications and its compatibility with the research design as well as the rights and welfare of the research participants. In conclusion, methodology is essential for developing research questions because it directs the choice of acceptable procedures and methods for data collection and analysis, ultimately addressing the questions and achieving the goals of the study.