Research Question in Qualitative Research

Summary

This video discusses the development and use of research questions in qualitative research. It addresses common misconceptions, such as the belief that research questions are the starting point of a study, or that they guarantee good results. The video emphasizes the importance of refining research questions through background research and a detailed literature review. Additionally, it offers a step-by-step guide to formulating research questions and includes a checklist to ensure their quality. Overall, the content is designed to help researchers craft effective questions that guide their qualitative studies effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research questions are critical in qualitative research, serving as a problem statement in the form of a question to explore, interpret, and explain specific issues.
• 😀 A common misconception is that the research question is the starting point of a study, when in fact it evolves from the idea and background.
• 😀 Good research questions don’t guarantee good results; skills in literature review, conceptual frameworks, research methods, and analysis are equally important.
• 😀 Qualitative research questions are not about predicting outcomes, but exploring social phenomena and understanding processes.
• 😀 The focus of qualitative research is not on generalization, but on in-depth, contextual understanding.
• 😀 To develop a strong research question, begin by clarifying the idea or topic, reflecting on your knowledge sources and the gaps in existing research.
• 😀 A memo book is a useful tool for organizing thoughts and refining the research question, based on questions like 'What do I want to know?' and 'Why is it important?'
• 😀 Literature reviews help in narrowing down the focus and identifying knowledge gaps, which directly influences the formulation of a research question.
• 😀 Research questions should answer the 'what', 'how', and 'why' of the study, guiding the focus and methodology of the research.
• 😀 A checklist for evaluating research questions includes ensuring they are focused, relevant, feasible, non-biased, and reflect an investigative approach, along with considering resources and ethical concerns.

Q & A

What is a research question in qualitative research?

A research question in qualitative research is a problem statement in an interrogative form that focuses on an issue or problem the researcher aims to explore, interpret, and explain.

What is one common misconception about research questions in qualitative research?

One common misconception is that the research question is the starting point of the study. In reality, the beginning point is the idea or background from which you gradually narrow down to the research question.

What does a good research question help with in qualitative research?

A well-crafted research question helps to investigate the focus and aim of the study without wasting time, money, and resources. It serves as a pathway to all connected elements of good research.

Do research questions in qualitative research predict outcomes?

No, research questions in qualitative research do not predict outcomes. They are about exploring phenomena and understanding the processes that lead to outcomes, rather than forecasting them.

How do qualitative research questions differ from quantitative research questions?

Qualitative research questions are not focused on generalization of findings, unlike quantitative research questions, which aim for statistical generalization. Qualitative questions focus on in-depth exploration of phenomena within social contexts.

What should you do when you have an idea for a research topic?

When you have an idea, start by preparing a memo book and make notes about your thoughts. This process involves reflecting on how you reached the idea, what you already know, and the importance of the topic.

What key questions should you ask when developing a research question?

Key questions include: 'What do I already know about this topic?', 'What do I want to know?', 'Why is it important?', and 'What has already been explored in this context?' These questions help narrow down the focus of the research.

How does literature review contribute to developing a research question?

A literature review helps to identify gaps in existing research, provides conceptual insights, and informs the development of the research question by reviewing existing studies and methodologies.

What are the components of a well-constructed research question?

A well-constructed research question should be broad in its implications, narrow in its investigation, and answer the 'what', 'how', and 'why' of the research.

What checklist can help assess the quality of a research question?

The checklist includes ensuring the research question is explorable, relevant, grounded in the problem statement, unbiased, feasible to investigate, and clear in its language structure.