#4 How to Formulate Research Questions for a Research Paper?

Summary

In this video, Chelsea from Ref-n-write discusses how to effectively construct and present research questions in your academic paper. She emphasizes the importance of defining clear research aims and objectives, how to structure the final paragraph of the introduction, and the use of hypotheses. The video includes examples from various fields, including health sciences, computer science, and psychology, to showcase how to establish research gaps, define methods, and summarize results. Chelsea also introduces Ref-n-write tools for improving academic writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clearly define your research question: It should pinpoint exactly what you aim to discover in your research.
• 😀 Limit the number of research questions to under four, unless your research is particularly complex.
• 😀 The research question is typically placed in the final paragraph of your introduction section.
• 😀 If your work is hypothesis-driven, you should clearly define your hypothesis in the introduction.
• 😀 Provide a brief summary of your methodology, explaining how you will achieve your research aims.
• 😀 Highlight the originality of your work by explaining how it differs from previous research.
• 😀 Summarize the main findings of your research, even briefly, to give readers an idea of the results.
• 😀 Discuss the implications of your research, outlining its potential benefits or contributions.
• 😀 Optionally, include an outline of your paper’s structure, explaining the order of the sections.
• 😀 Examples from different fields, like health sciences, computer sciences, and psychology, showcase how to present research questions effectively.
• 😀 In hypothesis-driven research, make sure to clearly state your hypothesis and the methodology you will use to test it.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the research question in a research paper?

The research question defines the aims and objectives of your research, pinpointing exactly what you want to find out in your work.

How many research questions should be included in a paper?

It is generally recommended to keep the number of research questions to less than four, depending on the complexity of your research.

Where is the research question typically located in a research paper?

The research question is typically located in the final paragraph of the introduction section of a research paper.

What other components are included in the final paragraph of the introduction?

The final paragraph should include the research question, a definition of the hypothesis (if applicable), a brief summary of the methodology, an explanation of the originality of the work, a summary of results (if appropriate), and the implications of the research.

What should be explained about the methodology in the final paragraph?

A brief summary of the methodology should be provided, explaining how the research aims and objectives will be achieved.

How can the originality of a research paper be explained?

The originality can be explained by discussing how the current research differs from previous work in the field.

Should the results of the research be included in the introduction?

Yes, it’s a good idea to briefly summarize the main findings of the research to give readers an idea of what to expect from the paper.

What role does the implications section play in the final paragraph?

The implications section helps the reader understand the potential benefits and significance of the research.

What is the purpose of providing a paper outline in the introduction?

Providing an outline of the paper can help guide readers on the structure of the document, though it is optional and dependent on personal preference and journal requirements.

Can the research question be presented in the form of a hypothesis?

Yes, if the research is hypothesis-driven, the research question can be formulated as a hypothesis to be tested throughout the paper.