- October 21, 2023
- Posted by: Igbaji Chinwendu
- Category: Project Writing Guide
Research Questions on Project Writing: 8 Best Practices in formulating a research question
Introduction
One must ask questions whenever you wish to learn more about a topic. Research also makes use of the same concept. A clear emphasis and focus are essential for academic writing and inquiry. Your study is given clear guidance by a well-crafted research topic. Because of this, the research question is an essential component of the investigation process.
Additionally, it allows the writer to provide instructions, whether for descriptive or empirical investigation, and it aids readers in understanding the problem you are attempting to solve and investigate. Every investigation or project starts with a research topic. However, creating reasonable research questions from genuine and important problems might be challenging for researchers.
By supplying a roadmap for the research and writing processes, research questions assist researchers in directing their study. A student can win a scholarship because of the specificity of a well-developed research question. Since each researcher must develop their unique research question, this question identifies the problem or issue that your topic will concentrate on. It also describes the assignment you must finish.
An inquiry that a study or research initiative seeks to answer is known as a research question. This question frequently refers to a problem or difficulty, and the result of the research provides a response based on data analysis and interpretation. In most studies, the research question is prepared to include information about the participants, factors, and problems the study intends to solve.
As the name suggests, a study’s question is frequently supported by investigation. Consequently, these inquiries are open-ended, allowing researchers to modify them as they analyze pertinent literature and create the study’s framework. Larger studies frequently incorporate multiple research questions, although many research initiatives concentrate on just one.
There isn’t one set of standards that all research questions must meet. The most important ones and criteria vary throughout fields. An excellent research question for a project in engineering will be different from one for a project in medicine. However, generally speaking, an appropriate question for study should be:
Evident and focused: The query must be specific and concise; in other words, it must clarify what the writer must do. In addition, the scope allowed by the writing assignment should be adequate to be dealt with in depth.
Concise: It is concisely stated using the fewest number of words as feasible.
Complex: asks a question that can’t be answered using a straightforward “yes” or “no,” instead, it calls for an in-depth examination and synthesis of various viewpoints and information sources.
Neither wide nor restricted: should the scope of the inquiry be appropriate — not wide nor limited? When the question has become too general, responding fully in the allotted word count won’t be feasible. When restricted, you won’t have enough material to write about, as you’ll find it difficult to make a compelling case.
Researchable. One must have access to an adequate number of high-quality research resources, including scholarly books and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Also See: Scales For Psychology Research Study; How To Develop Scale For Psychology Research Topics
How to formulate a research question
These are the procedures to stick to when one is unclear on how to write a solid research topic. The procedures listed below can help one create a research question:
- Choose a fascinating wide topic
A wide topic gives authors many options to consider as they look for a strong research question. Brainstorming and idea mapping can break down a topic into subtopics and possible research questions. You can provoke your friends’ conversations by posing thought-provoking questions. This will assist you in narrowing your topic.
It is advisable to choose a field of study in which you are genuinely interested while looking for a topic because this will influence how motivated you are to complete your research. The acceptance of your idea by a wider audience will be impacted by the interests that the scientific community has previously addressed. Therefore, Pick a subject that you are passionate about.
If a topic fails to capture your interest, it will be difficult for you to study it. Additionally, you should choose an aspect that is neither too limited nor too broad.
Also Read: Project topic selection; How to choose trendy and ideal Topic for your academic project in Nigeria
- Conduct an initial research on the subject
A preliminary analysis of the relevant literature can help you identify issues currently debated by academics and other researchers in peer-reviewed and current publications during the initial phases of your research. You acquire current, pertinent knowledge about your subject in this manner.
You can identify any gaps or restrictions in the current understanding of your topic by doing a preliminary study of relevant literature. These discrepancies may be utilized as the subject of your research topic with some adjustments.
- Narrow Down your topic
One should now be able to decide on your topic, narrowing it down after conducting some basic investigation. Most of the time, you will need to focus on a particular debate or aspect of the larger topic. This is because covering a particular issue or aspect of a topic in depth is far more beneficial than only briefly touching on numerous. To narrow down your topic:,
Also Check: Scales For Psychology Research Study; How To Develop Scale For Psychology Research Topics
- Consider the wide topic’s subtopics, particular issues, and important arguments.
- Consider the advantages of concentrating on a certain area.
- Consider your assignment’s thesis statement. What are the main ideas and arguments you wish to convey? Which subtopic, duration, or other constraint could enable you to illustrate these ideas best?
- Draft the question.
One can now concentrate on how to phrase the study question now that you have limited down your topic. As was already said, the research question must state the work you must do clearly.
When considering the content of your inquiry, remember that the purpose will vary depending on the discipline and that you must keep this in mind.
A solid research question, however, typically calls for you to analyze a problem or issue. Because of this, how and why questions are more beneficial than what or describe ones.
- Keep your audience in mind
Understanding your audience is crucial for creating targeted research topics for essays or dissertations. You can find elements your audience would find interesting when you focus on your topic. For project students, your audience will likely be academics for most of your college dissertation. Therefore, consistently consider that as you choose your subject and develop your question. Consider whether the audience would find the question you are formulating interesting.
- Engage in inquiry
You will gain a better comprehension of the subject by asking yourself questions. Utilize the evaluation of your inquiry using the terms What, Why, When, How, and other open-ended inquiries.
- Analyze your query
After you have developed a research topic, evaluate its usefulness to see if it serves the intended objective. Improve and update your dissertation’s research question as often as possible.
- Beginning the research
Consider the potential directions your study could go after you address your question. What resources should you seek for responses to your question? Which research method will enable you to discover a range of opinions and responses to your query?