Research questions are the questions your study seeks to answer. They are developed from the research problem and help determine what information you need to collect and analyse. Well-formulated questions keep your study focused and prevent you from collecting unnecessary information.
What Makes a Strong Research Question?
Clear: Use simple and precise language.
Focused: Address a specific aspect of the research problem.
Researchable: It should be possible to answer the question using data or evidence.
Relevant: It must connect directly to your research objectives.
Specific: Clearly identify the population, variables, or context where appropriate.
Neutral: Avoid questions that suggest a particular answer.
How to Develop Your Questions
Start with your research problem, identify what you need to investigate, and then turn those areas into questions. Your research objectives can also guide you when formulating each question.
For example:
Objective:
To examine the effect of social media use on academic performance among university students.
Research Question:
What is the effect of social media use on academic performance among university students?
You can also have several research questions when your study examines different aspects of the same problem.
Remember
Your research questions should work together with your research objectives. If an objective cannot be linked to a research question, your study may need further refinement.
