How to Write a Strong Research Question in One Minute 👈

Summary

David from PeakWriting addresses a common challenge in research projects: formulating a research question. He emphasizes the distinction between a search and research, advocating for questions that require exploration and generate a list of answers. David provides techniques to refine questions, avoiding unanswerable, opinion-based, and 'why' questions. His guidance includes narrowing or broadening questions, ensuring they are answerable and manageable within the researcher's capabilities and resources.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Start with a topic: The first step in research is identifying a topic of interest for the project.
• 🤔 Formulate a research question: To guide your research, develop a question that can be answered through your study.
• 📝 Understand the difference: Distinguish between a 'search' which seeks a single answer, and 'research' which explores multiple answers to a question.
• 📉 Transform simple questions: Take a simple query and turn it into a complex research question that requires in-depth investigation.
• 📚 Predict and list: Before researching, predict a list of potential answers or factors that will guide your research direction.
• 📉 Narrow down when necessary: As research progresses, it may become clear that the initial question needs to be narrowed for focus and manageability.
• 📊 Broaden if too narrow: Conversely, if the research question is too specific, consider broadening it to encompass a wider range of answers.
• ✅ Revise the question: Adjust the research question as the research evolves to better fit the findings and maintain focus.
• ❌ Avoid unanswerable questions: Ensure the research question is answerable and does not delve into philosophical or speculative areas.
• 🚫 Steer clear of opinions: A research paper should be objective and avoid questions that lead to subjective opinions rather than factual findings.
• ❓ Convert 'why' to 'what' or 'how': 'Why' questions may lead to ambiguous answers; reframe them to be more specific and answerable.
• 📋 Check for approval: Before diving into research, ensure that your research question is approved by your instructor or advisor.
• 🧐 Maintain objectivity: Approach the research with an objective mindset, aiming to answer the research question rather than promoting personal beliefs.
• 🔍 Ensure answerability: The research question should be something that can be answered within the scope of your research method and time constraints.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Assess feasibility: Consider whether you have the necessary knowledge, experience, skills, equipment, time, and funds to conduct the research.

Q & A

What is the main problem David addresses in the script?

The main problem David addresses is the challenge students face in knowing how to conduct research on their given topic after they have identified it.

Why is a research question essential for a research project?

A research question is essential because it provides direction and focus for the research, guiding the researcher to find all the necessary information.

What is the difference between a search and research according to David?

A search looks for one answer to a specific question, while research involves looking for multiple answers to one question, often requiring a more in-depth exploration.

How does David suggest turning a simple question into a research question?

David suggests turning a simple question into a research question by phrasing it in a way that requires a list of answers, indicating multiple aspects or factors to be explored.

What is an example of a research question provided by David?

An example of a research question provided by David is 'In what ways does a service dog improve life for cancer patients?'

Why is it necessary to predict a list before starting the research?

Predicting a list before starting the research helps the researcher to know exactly what to look for and gives direction to the research process.

What are the three main factors David identifies as fueling world population growth in the 20th century?

The three main factors identified by David are advances in medicine, advances in sanitation, and advances in nutrition.

Why is it important to narrow down a research question during the research process?

Narrowing down a research question is important to make the research more manageable and focused, ensuring that the researcher can cover the topic in depth within the constraints of their paper length or research scope.

What is the revised research question David suggests for the topic of world population growth?

The revised research question David suggests is 'What advances in medicine influenced world population in the last century?'

Why should a researcher avoid unanswerable questions in their research?

Unanswerable questions, such as those asking for opinions or motives, do not elicit clear and specific answers suitable for a research paper, which requires objective and factual information.

What is the checklist David provides for formulating a good research question?

The checklist includes ensuring the question is approved, objective, answerable with the available research methods and time, and doable with the researcher's knowledge, experience, skills, and resources.