Developing Research Questions
Recognize a Research Gap:
Find a gap in the body of existing literature to start with. Search for places where significant concerns remain unanswered.
Examine the pertinent literature:
Learn about relevant studies to determine what issues have been addressed and to pinpoint areas that require more research.
Think About Your Methodology, Ontology, and Epistemology:
The kinds of questions you can pose will depend on your philosophical position (ontology and epistemology) and the research methodology you choose. Make sure that these are in harmony.
Create Specific and Clear Questions:
Specific, precise, and focused research questions are best. Avert questions that are too general or vague.
Ask Research-Friendly Questions:
Make sure that empirical research and data gathering can provide answers to the queries. Avoid asking hypothetical or speculative inquiries.
Utilize clear language:
Create guiding questions for your research activities. Start your sentence with "what," "how," or "why" to encourage empirical research.
Questions for Research: Open vs. Closed
Open Questions for Research:
These open-ended, exploratory queries frequently begin with "what," "how," or "why." They promote conversation and analysis and enable a deeper grasp of a subject.
Closed-ended research questions:
These queries frequently aim to test hypotheses and provide clear, quantifiable replies. They are employed in quantitative research and often start with "Is," "Are," "Do," or "Does," among other prefixes.
Good research questions include:
The best research questions are those that fit your study objectives, methodology, and resource limitations. They ought to fill a sizable knowledge gap and be crystal clear, precise, and pertinent.
The environment and study goals will determine the "best" research question. A well-designed research question contributes to the field, increases our understanding of the subject, and can be successfully addressed with the methods of choice.
Keep in mind that there is no one strategy that works for all research questions. They must to be customized to your research's goals, approach, and field of study.
