Developing Research Questions

To write a good research paper, project or thesis, one must first formulate a good research question. Your work has a clear focus and purpose when it pinpoints precisely what you want to accomplish. Your research question should be able to answer:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly  (McCombes, 2019)

 

(Scribbr, 2020)

Monash University provides an outline on developing research questions.  It also include some interactive activities to test your understanding.   

Visit Developing Research Questions

McCombes, S. (2019). Developing Strong Research Questions | Criteria and Examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-questions/

Scribbr. (2020). How to Develop a STRONG Research Question | Scribbr 🎓 - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71-GucBaM8U

Research Ethics

 

Ethics must be considered at the very beginning of a research project.  It is typical for provisional decisions to be made from the very beginning of the research process regarding the nature of the research sample and the methodology (Oliver, 2003).

(Kwe, 2016)

Reference

Kwe, N. M. (2016). Research Ethics . In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG9QPGEKChs

Oliver, P. (2003). The Student’s Guide to Research Ethics. Open University Press.

Qualitative Research

What is qualitative research?

Qualitative research is defined as a market research method that focuses on obtaining data through open-ended and conversational communication (QuestionPro, 2021).

Visit Qualitative Research: Definition, Types, Methods and Examples to learn more about qualitative research.

QuestionPro. (2021). Qualitative Research: Definition, Types, Methods and Examples. https://www.questionpro.com/blog/qualitative-research-methods/

Quantitative Research

 

(Fischler, n.d.)

Fischler, A. (n.d.). Quantitative Research Methods. Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://education.nova.edu/Resources/uploads/app/35/files/arc_doc/quantitative_research_methods.pdf

This research by Oberiri Destiny Apuke provides a summary of quantitative research methods.

Quantitative Research Methods : A Synopsis Approach

Abstract

The  aim  of  this  study  is  to  explicate  the  quantitative  methodology.  The  study  established that quantitative  research  deals  with  quantifying  and  analyzing  variables  in  order  to  get  results.  It involves the utilization and analysis of numerical data using specific statistical techniques to answer questions like who,  how much, what,  where, when,  how many,  and how.  It also describes the methods of explaining an  issue  or  phenomenon  through gathering data  in  numerical  form.  The study  further  reveals  that  quantitative  methods  can  be  categorized  into;  survey  research, correlational research, experimental research and causal-comparative research (Apuke, 2017).

 Apuke, O. D. (2017). Quantitative Research Methods : A Synopsis Approach. Kuwait Chapter of Arabian             Journal of Business and Management Review, 6(11), 40–47. https://doi.org/10.12816/0040336

Research Design

 

The second step of your research design is figuring out the broad shape your research will take. In this video, you will decide which type of design is right for your research and dive into some common types of qualitative and quantitative designs (Scribbr, 2021).

Scribbr. (2021, April 16). Research Design: Choosing a Type of Research Design . YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNo-M1ldPZ8

Research objectives

 The final part of clarifying your research project involves thinking in more detail about your research objectives. Research objectives should be closely related to the statement of the problem and summaries what you hope will be achieved by the study. For example, if the problem identified is low utilisation of antenatal care services, the general objective of the study could be to identify the reasons for this low uptake, in order to find ways of improving it.

Writing your research objectives clearly helps to:

·       Define the focus of your study

·       Clearly identify variables to be measured

·       Indicate the various steps to be involved

·       Establish the limits of the study

·       Avoid collection of any data that is not strictly necessary.

 

Objectives can be general or specific. The general objective of your study states what you expect to achieve in general terms. Specific objectives break down the general objective into smaller, logically connected parts that systematically address the various aspects of the problem. Your specific objectives should specify exactly what you will do in each phase of your study, how, where, when and for what purpose.

OpenLearn. (2017). Research objectives. Health Management, Ethics and Research Module: 13. https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=231&section=8.6.2

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.

Selecting a Research Topic

 Choosing an interesting research topic is your first challenge. Here are some tips:

• Choose a topic that you are interested in! The research process is more relevant if you care about your topic.
• Narrow your topic to something manageable.
• If your topic is too broad, you will find too much information and not be able to focus.
• Background reading can help you choose and limit the scope of your topic. 
• Review the guidelines on topic selection outlined in your assignment.  Ask your professor or TA for suggestions.
• Refer to lecture notes and required texts to refresh your knowledge of the course and assignment.
• Talk about research ideas with a friend.  S/he may be able to help focus your topic by discussing issues that didn't occur to you at first.
• Think of the who, what, when, where and why questions:
• WHY did you choose the topic?  What interests you about it?  Do you have an opinion about the issues involved?
• WHO are the information providers on this topic?  Who might publish information about it?  Who is affected by the topic?  Do you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the topic?
• WHAT are the major questions for this topic?  Is there a debate about the topic? Are there a range of issues and viewpoints to consider?
• WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national or international level?  Are there specific places affected by the topic?
• WHEN is/was your topic important?  Is it a current event or a historical issue?  Do you want to compare your topic by time periods?

https://libguides.mit.edu/select-topic