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Research Questions – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

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Research questions are the foundation of any research study, guiding the direction, focus, and objectives of the investigation. A well-defined research question helps researchers clarify what they seek to answer or achieve and establishes a clear purpose for the study. Formulating effective research questions is crucial as they shape the research design, methodology, data collection, and analysis.

Research Questions

A research question is a focused inquiry that outlines the central issue or objective of a study. It articulates what the researcher aims to investigate or understand within the scope of their research. Research questions should be clear, concise, and answerable, providing a solid framework for the study and narrowing down the study’s focus.

Key Characteristics of Research Questions :

• Clear : Easily understandable and specific.
• Focused : Narrow enough to be manageable within the scope of the research.
• Researchable : Feasible to answer with available methods and resources.
• Relevant : Addresses significant issues related to the topic or field of study.

Types of Research Questions

Research questions can be categorized into different types based on their purpose and the kind of data they seek. The most common types are descriptive , comparative , causal , exploratory , and evaluative research questions.

1. Descriptive Research Questions

Definition : Descriptive research questions seek to describe the characteristics or features of a phenomenon. They often start with “What” or “How,” aiming to provide a detailed overview without investigating causal relationships.

Purpose : To outline the characteristics, behaviors, or trends of the subject under investigation.

• What are the most common challenges faced by remote workers?
• How do college students use social media for academic purposes?

2. Comparative Research Questions

Definition : Comparative research questions aim to compare two or more groups or variables to identify differences or similarities. These questions often start with “How” or “What,” followed by a comparison between distinct groups.

Purpose : To identify and analyze differences and similarities between groups or conditions.

• How do male and female high school students differ in their academic performance?
• What is the difference in job satisfaction between remote and in-office employees?

3. Causal Research Questions

Definition : Causal research questions explore cause-and-effect relationships between variables. These questions typically start with “How” or “What,” focusing on whether one variable influences another.

Purpose : To examine the impact of an independent variable on a dependent variable and identify causal relationships.

• How does sleep duration affect cognitive performance in adults?
• What is the impact of a new training program on employee productivity?

4. Exploratory Research Questions

Definition : Exploratory research questions are open-ended and aim to explore a topic that is not yet well understood. These questions often start with “Why” or “How” and are broad, guiding initial research to generate hypotheses.

Purpose : To investigate a new area of interest and gain foundational insights.

• Why do students choose online learning over traditional classrooms?
• How do individuals perceive the effects of climate change in their communities?

5. Evaluative Research Questions

Definition : Evaluative research questions assess the effectiveness, impact, or value of a program, intervention, or strategy. They help in determining whether specific goals or outcomes have been achieved.

Purpose : To assess the outcomes or effectiveness of specific actions or programs.

• How effective is cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing symptoms of anxiety?
• What impact has the new policy on work-from-home had on employee satisfaction?

Examples of Research Questions in Different Fields

• Descriptive: What are the most common learning challenges for students with dyslexia?
• Comparative: How do public and private school students differ in their academic achievements?
• Causal: How does teacher feedback impact student motivation?
• Descriptive: How frequently do college students experience symptoms of anxiety?
• Causal: What effect does mindfulness meditation have on reducing stress levels?
• Evaluative: How effective is group therapy in treating depression?
• Descriptive: What are the primary reasons patients visit emergency departments?
• Comparative: How does patient satisfaction differ between private and public hospitals?
• Causal: How does diet affect recovery time in post-surgical patients?
• Descriptive: What are the primary reasons customers choose organic products?
• Comparative: What is the difference in brand loyalty between millennials and Generation Z?
• Causal: How does advertising frequency affect consumer buying behavior?

Writing Guide for Research Questions

Step 1: identify the research topic.

Begin by selecting a clear research topic or area of interest. Consider the broader field of study and identify a specific aspect that is meaningful, relevant, and researchable.

Example : Suppose your topic is “effects of social media on mental health.”

Step 2: Narrow the Focus

Refine the topic into a specific issue or question. Think about the aspect of social media’s effects on mental health that interests you most, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep.

Example : Narrow the topic to focus on “how social media affects anxiety levels in college students.”

Step 3: Determine the Type of Research Question

Choose the type of research question that best aligns with your research objectives. If you want to describe the relationship, use a descriptive question; if you are exploring causal relationships, use a causal question.

Example : “How does the amount of time spent on social media affect anxiety levels among college students?”

Step 4: Make It Clear and Researchable

Ensure that the question is clear and specific, so it can be answered within the scope of your study. Avoid overly broad questions, and ensure that the question aligns with available research methods and resources.

Example : Refine the question to be more specific: “Does spending more than two hours a day on social media increase anxiety levels among college students compared to those who spend less time?”

Step 5: Check for Feasibility and Relevance

Evaluate whether the research question is feasible to investigate given the resources, time, and methodology available. Additionally, confirm that the question is relevant to current issues or knowledge gaps in your field.

Tips for Writing Effective Research Questions

• Be Specific : Avoid vague language and ensure the question is focused. A specific question provides clarity and direction for the research process.
• Keep It Manageable : Narrow down broad questions to make them achievable within the constraints of time, resources, and study size.
• Use Clear Language : Use simple, direct language to avoid misunderstandings. Ambiguity in research questions can lead to confusion and inaccurate findings.
• Align with Research Goals : Ensure that the question aligns with the study’s purpose, objectives, and methods, making it suitable for the chosen methodology.
• Avoid Leading or Biased Questions : Write questions that are neutral and unbiased, allowing for objective investigation rather than assuming specific answers.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Overly Broad Questions : Questions that are too general or complex are challenging to answer in a single study. Narrow down the focus to create a researchable question.
• Unanswerable Questions : Avoid questions that cannot be answered with empirical data or that lack objective measurement.
• Assumptive Questions : Avoid questions that assume a certain outcome, as they can introduce bias into the research design and analysis.
• Complex Language : Overly complicated language or jargon can make questions difficult to understand. Use clear, straightforward language instead.

Research questions are foundational to conducting structured, effective studies that contribute valuable insights to the field. By understanding different types of research questions and following a clear writing guide, researchers can create questions that direct their study and produce meaningful answers. Whether for descriptive, comparative, causal, exploratory, or evaluative research, well-crafted questions provide clarity and purpose to research, guiding all aspects of the methodology, data collection, and analysis.

• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Flick, U. (2018). An Introduction to Qualitative Research (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Trochim, W. M., & Donnelly, J. P. (2008). The Research Methods Knowledge Base (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Punch, K. F. (2014). Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

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Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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How to Write a Research Question: Types and Examples 

The first step in any research project is framing the research question. It can be considered the core of any systematic investigation as the research outcomes are tied to asking the right questions. Thus, this primary interrogation point sets the pace for your research as it helps collect relevant and insightful information that ultimately influences your work.   

Typically, the research question guides the stages of inquiry, analysis, and reporting. Depending on the use of quantifiable or quantitative data, research questions are broadly categorized into quantitative or qualitative research questions. Both types of research questions can be used independently or together, considering the overall focus and objectives of your research.  

What is a research question?

A research question is a clear, focused, concise, and arguable question on which your research and writing are centered. 1 It states various aspects of the study, including the population and variables to be studied and the problem the study addresses. These questions also set the boundaries of the study, ensuring cohesion. 

Designing the research question is a dynamic process where the researcher can change or refine the research question as they review related literature and develop a framework for the study. Depending on the scale of your research, the study can include single or multiple research questions. 

A good research question has the following features: 

• It is relevant to the chosen field of study. 
• The question posed is arguable and open for debate, requiring synthesizing and analysis of ideas. 
• It is focused and concisely framed. 
• A feasible solution is possible within the given practical constraint and timeframe. 

A poorly formulated research question poses several risks. 1   

• Researchers can adopt an erroneous design. 
• It can create confusion and hinder the thought process, including developing a clear protocol.  
• It can jeopardize publication efforts.  
• It causes difficulty in determining the relevance of the study findings.  
• It causes difficulty in whether the study fulfils the inclusion criteria for systematic review and meta-analysis. This creates challenges in determining whether additional studies or data collection is needed to answer the question.  
• Readers may fail to understand the objective of the study. This reduces the likelihood of the study being cited by others. 

Now that you know “What is a research question?”, let’s look at the different types of research questions. 

Types of research questions

Depending on the type of research to be done, research questions can be classified broadly into quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies. Knowing the type of research helps determine the best type of research question that reflects the direction and epistemological underpinnings of your research. 

The structure and wording of quantitative 2 and qualitative research 3 questions differ significantly. The quantitative study looks at causal relationships, whereas the qualitative study aims at exploring a phenomenon. 

• Quantitative research questions:  
• Seeks to investigate social, familial, or educational experiences or processes in a particular context and/or location.  
• Answers ‘how,’ ‘what,’ or ‘why’ questions. 
• Investigates connections, relations, or comparisons between independent and dependent variables. 

Quantitative research questions can be further categorized into descriptive, comparative, and relationship, as explained in the Table below. 

• Qualitative research questions  

Qualitative research questions are adaptable, non-directional, and more flexible. It concerns broad areas of research or more specific areas of study to discover, explain, or explore a phenomenon. These are further classified as follows: 

• Mixed-methods studies  

Mixed-methods studies use both quantitative and qualitative research questions to answer your research question. Mixed methods provide a complete picture than standalone quantitative or qualitative research, as it integrates the benefits of both methods. Mixed methods research is often used in multidisciplinary settings and complex situational or societal research, especially in the behavioral, health, and social science fields. 

What makes a good research question

A good research question should be clear and focused to guide your research. It should synthesize multiple sources to present your unique argument, and should ideally be something that you are interested in. But avoid questions that can be answered in a few factual statements. The following are the main attributes of a good research question. 

• Specific: The research question should not be a fishing expedition performed in the hopes that some new information will be found that will benefit the researcher. The central research question should work with your research problem to keep your work focused. If using multiple questions, they should all tie back to the central aim. 
• Measurable: The research question must be answerable using quantitative and/or qualitative data or from scholarly sources to develop your research question. If such data is impossible to access, it is better to rethink your question. 
• Attainable: Ensure you have enough time and resources to do all research required to answer your question. If it seems you will not be able to gain access to the data you need, consider narrowing down your question to be more specific. 
• You have the expertise 
• You have the equipment and resources 
• Realistic: Developing your research question should be based on initial reading about your topic. It should focus on addressing a problem or gap in the existing knowledge in your field or discipline. 
• Based on some sort of rational physics 
• Can be done in a reasonable time frame 
• Timely: The research question should contribute to an existing and current debate in your field or in society at large. It should produce knowledge that future researchers or practitioners can later build on. 
• Novel 
• Based on current technologies. 
• Important to answer current problems or concerns. 
• Lead to new directions. 
• Important: Your question should have some aspect of originality. Incremental research is as important as exploring disruptive technologies. For example, you can focus on a specific location or explore a new angle. 
• Meaningful whether the answer is “Yes” or “No.” Closed-ended, yes/no questions are too simple to work as good research questions. Such questions do not provide enough scope for robust investigation and discussion. A good research question requires original data, synthesis of multiple sources, and original interpretation and argumentation before providing an answer. 

Steps for developing a good research question

The importance of research questions cannot be understated. When drafting a research question, use the following frameworks to guide the components of your question to ease the process. 4  

• Determine the requirements: Before constructing a good research question, set your research requirements. What is the purpose? Is it descriptive, comparative, or explorative research? Determining the research aim will help you choose the most appropriate topic and word your question appropriately. 
• Select a broad research topic: Identify a broader subject area of interest that requires investigation. Techniques such as brainstorming or concept mapping can help identify relevant connections and themes within a broad research topic. For example, how to learn and help students learn. 
• Perform preliminary investigation: Preliminary research is needed to obtain up-to-date and relevant knowledge on your topic. It also helps identify issues currently being discussed from which information gaps can be identified. 
• Narrow your focus: Narrow the scope and focus of your research to a specific niche. This involves focusing on gaps in existing knowledge or recent literature or extending or complementing the findings of existing literature. Another approach involves constructing strong research questions that challenge your views or knowledge of the area of study (Example: Is learning consistent with the existing learning theory and research). 
• Identify the research problem: Once the research question has been framed, one should evaluate it. This is to realize the importance of the research questions and if there is a need for more revising (Example: How do your beliefs on learning theory and research impact your instructional practices). 

How to write a research question

Those struggling to understand how to write a research question, these simple steps can help you simplify the process of writing a research question. 

Sample Research Questions

The following are some bad and good research question examples 

• Example 1 
• Example 2 

References:  

• Thabane, L., Thomas, T., Ye, C., & Paul, J. (2009). Posing the research question: not so simple.  Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d’anesthésie ,  56 (1), 71-79. 
• Rutberg, S., & Bouikidis, C. D. (2018). Focusing on the fundamentals: A simplistic differentiation between qualitative and quantitative research.  Nephrology Nursing Journal ,  45 (2), 209-213. 
• Kyngäs, H. (2020). Qualitative research and content analysis.  The application of content analysis in nursing science research , 3-11. 
• Mattick, K., Johnston, J., & de la Croix, A. (2018). How to… write a good research question.  The clinical teacher ,  15 (2), 104-108. 
• Fandino, W. (2019). Formulating a good research question: Pearls and pitfalls.  Indian Journal of Anaesthesia ,  63 (8), 611. 
• Richardson, W. S., Wilson, M. C., Nishikawa, J., & Hayward, R. S. (1995). The well-built clinical question: a key to evidence-based decisions.  ACP journal club ,  123 (3), A12-A13 

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