writing
Types of research questions
Main research question
The main research question plays a leading role in research. It usually reflects a variety of research question categories. It is derived from the problem statement that you have formulated
Sub-questions
Sub-questions are shorter, less complex questions. They generally fall squarely into one research question category.
Descriptive questions
These questions are useful for really getting to know the subject you are investigating. They are usually the starting point of research and will help you to get clear on the topic of your dissertation.
Descriptive questions are about the here and now. Their answers may describe a situation, concept or person based on your own observations or information you have collected.
· What steps will the government take in the coming year to reduce the tax burden?
· What measures are primary schools in the US taking for children with autism?
Comparative questions
Comparative questions are useful if you want to explore the differences and similarities between two or more items.
What is the difference between sign language and body language?
What are the similarities of the political systems in the Netherlands and Russia?
Defining questions
Defining questions allow you to determine how your topic relates to the larger picture. They are useful for characterizing and classifying a phenomenon.
How can the new subclass that is emerging in Germany be characterized?
How can socialists be classified within this emerging subclass?
Evaluative/normative questions
Evaluative or normative questions are used when you want to determine the value of something (for example, how desirable, good, normal or usable it is), as they enable you to provide an opinion or judgment. They are also sometimes called ethical questions.
It is desirable that workers be closely supervised?
What is the value of having a healthy work environment for employees?
Explanatory questions
Explanatory questions are designed to determine the cause of a problem. As a result, they are also called “why” questions (although they may instead use words such as “what” and “how”).
What is cause of the high sickness rate at Apple headquarters?
Why is it that every substance melts at a certain temperature?
Why do leaves change color in the fall?
Predictive questions
As the name implies, predictive questions are used to predict something that will occur in the future. You can use them to identify an expected consequence.
How many mortgages will fail if the economic crisis continues until 2020?
What is the new tax plan’s possible impact on elderly people living alone?
Will public transportation remain affordable in the future?
Framing/problem-solving/advisory questions
Framing questions are used when you want to identify new solutions to existing problems, with a focus on the near future. They are often phrased as “How can we…?”
In many cases, framing questions cannot be tackled until explanatory questions are answered. If your main question is framing, it’s therefore common to use some explanatory sub-questions.
How can we ensure that the UK will have 50% fewer illiterates within the next three years?
How can we reduce youth unemployment?
Inferential questions
Inferential questions can be used if you want to measure a certain effect and most often give rise to at least one hypothesis. They should be closed questions (e.g., with “yes” and “no” as possible answers).
Because inferential questions are designed to measure an effect, they are answered with the help of experiments. As such they are common in scientific research.
· Do students obtain better exam scores if they take classes online instead of attending lectures in person?
· What effect does conducting preventive alcohol checks have on the number of people who drive after drinking?
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Do boys or girls have more talent related to technology and does education play a role? |
No. It’s actually two questions instead of one. Moreover, it’s too general and lacks well-defined concepts. |
Researchable and specific |
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No. This descriptive question is likely too straightforward for a main question. However, it could make a good first sub-question. |
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What are the specific problems and characteristics of different types of stray cats (e.g., farm cats, feral cats, stray cats in urban areas)? |
Yes. It’s a clearly worded defining question. |
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No. It’s a limited inferential question with a simple yes/no answer. |
Researchable |
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No. This explanatory question is not specific enough and will not lead to a concise answer |
Researchable |
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No. It’s not specific enough and may be too broad. Which production workers? Where? |
Feasible and specific |
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Yes. The question is focused and clear (although it may be more appropriate for an undergraduate-level dissertation). |
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Feasible and specific |
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No. it’s a predictive question (which is appropriate), but it I too speculative. A testing question would be better here: “What effect do the early detection and remediation of reading problems in grades 3 and 4 have on reading levels in grades 4 and 5?” |
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No. The issue is far too broad to be tackled in either a bachelor’s or master’s dissertation. |
Feasible and specific |
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What to check |
Why |
What to do |
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Researchable |
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That the main question contains neither “and” nor “or.” |
“And” as well as “or” both imply that you are actually asking two questions, which is not allowed. |
Rephrase the main question; ask only one question |
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That the main question cannot be answered with “yes” or “no.” |
Yes/no questions generally do not create enough scope for investigation to be used as the main research question for a dissertation. |
Rephrase the main question; start with another question word (e.g., how, what, why) and add hypotheses. |
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That the main question does not ask for an opinion, judgment or value. |
It is challenging to offer an opinion, judgment or value while remaining objective (which is a prerequisite for good research). A call for a view is referred to as an evaluative question. |
Rephrase the main question; avoid asking for a view |
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That the main question is measurable using observable data. |
If your study doesn’t involve measuring anything using a research method, you need to consider the purpose of your research. In certain circumstances you may find yourself only reviewing literature without measuring anything, but this isn’t the norm. |
Rephrase the main question; possibly consult your supervisor to make sure you are clear about the requirements for your dissertation. |
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That several sub-questions (representing different types of research questions) are needed to answer to the main question. |
If the main research question doesn’t allow you to identify at least a few sub-questions, it is likely too simple or too limited. |
Rephrase the main question. |
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That theoretical knowledge on the subject is available. |
If relevant theory is not available, the question is likely too simple or too limited. It could also mean that your problem statement has not been formulated well. |
Rephrase the main question and possibly the problem statement |
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That the question can be answered succinctly. |
If not, the question is not specific enough. |
Rephrase the main question |
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That the main question does not include an “If….then…” statement. |
The results of research that focuses on “if…then” statements depend on a particular situation. Moreover, the research is evaluative or predictive (i.e., looks into the future), which means you run the risk that the situation is too speculative (see example). |
Rephrase the main question and possibly the problem statement. |
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That clear choices exist in relation to what you are going to investigate. |
If you want to examine everything because it’s so interesting or because it’s all interconnected, you run the risk of collecting information on a superficial level. Your research won’t be thorough enough or offer useful insights. |
Rephrase the main question; going deeper into a particular topic is often more interesting. |
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That the research can be done within the given timeframe. |
Take care that the study won’t take longer than planned, for example because interviewees are not available. |
Rephrase the main question so that so you can complete the research within your timeframe |
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That the main question does not begin with “why.” |
“Why” questions (which are explanatory in nature) can be answered by going in a number of directions. As a result, they may not be specific enough. |
Go back to the problem statement and dig further into the issue further. Try to find a connection or causal relationship |
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That concepts in the main question are clear. |
Unclear terms create confusion, which will be reflected in all your research. |
Rework the concepts in your problem statement and restate your main question. |
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That concepts referred to in the main question are specific enough. |
If the concepts are too broad, your research will be unnecessarily complex. |
Rework the concepts in your problem statement and restate your main question |
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That the main question does not call for an opinion or suggested policy. |
Making a recommendation or suggesting a policy often oversteps the boundaries of what an academic program or institution expects to see in a dissertation. |
Formulate an appropriate advisory or policy sub-question; if necessary, provide a separate advisory report. |