how to state your research question in paper

Writing Studio

Formulating your research question (rq).

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In a research paper, the emphasis is on generating a unique question and then synthesizing diverse sources into a coherent essay that supports your argument about the topic. In other words, you integrate information from publications with your own thoughts in order to formulate an argument. Your topic is your starting place: from here, you will develop an engaging research question. Merely presenting a topic in the form of a question does not transform it into a good research question.

Research Topic Versus Research Question Examples

1. broad topic versus narrow question, 1a. broad topic.

“What forces affect race relations in America?”

1b. NARROWER QUESTION

“How do corporate hiring practices affect race relations in Nashville?”

The question “What is the percentage of racial minorities holding management positions in corporate offices in Nashville?” is much too specific and would yield, at best, a statistic that could become part of a larger argument.

2. Neutral Topic Versus Argumentative Question

2a. neutral topic.

“How does KFC market its low-fat food offerings?”

2b. Argumentative question

“Does KFC put more money into marketing its high-fat food offerings than its lower-fat ones?”

The latter question is somewhat better, since it may lead you to take a stance or formulate an argument about consumer awareness or benefit.

3. Objective Topic Versus Subjective Question

Objective subjects are factual and do not have sides to be argued. Subjective subjects are those about which you can take a side.

3a. Objective topic

“How much time do youth between the ages of 10 and 15 spend playing video games?”

3b. Subjective Question

“What are the effects of video-gaming on the attention spans of youth between the ages of 10 and 15?”

The first question is likely to lead to some data, though not necessarily to an argument or issue. The second question is somewhat better, since it might lead you to formulate an argument for or against time spent playing video games.

4. Open-Ended Topic Versus Direct Question

4a. open-ended topic.

“Does the author of this text use allusion?”

4b. Direct question (gives direction to research)

“Does the ironic use of allusion in this text reveal anything about the author’s unwillingness to divulge his political commitments?”

The second question gives focus by putting the use of allusion into the specific context of a question about the author’s political commitments and perhaps also about the circumstances under which the text was produced.

Research Question (RQ) Checklist

• Is my RQ something that I am curious about and that others might care about? Does it present an issue on which I can take a stand?
• Does my RQ put a new spin on an old issue, or does it try to solve a problem?
• Is my RQ too broad, too narrow, or OK?
• within the time frame of the assignment?
• given the resources available at my location?
• Is my RQ measurable? What type of information do I need? Can I find actual data to support or contradict a position?
• What sources will have the type of information that I need to answer my RQ (journals, books, internet resources, government documents, interviews with people)?

Final Thoughts

The answer to a good research question will often be the THESIS of your research paper! And the results of your research may not always be what you expected them to be. Not only is this ok, it can be an indication that you are doing careful work!

Adapted from an online tutorial at Empire State College: http://www.esc.edu/htmlpages/writerold/menus.htm#develop (broken link)

Last revised: November 2022 | Adapted for web delivery: November 2022

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Research Aims, Objectives & Questions

By: David Phair (PhD) and Alexandra Shaeffer (PhD) | June 2022

T he research aims , objectives and research questions (collectively called the “golden thread”) are arguably the most important thing you need to get right when you’re crafting a research proposal , dissertation or thesis . We receive questions almost every day about this “holy trinity” of research and there’s certainly a lot of confusion out there, so we’ve crafted this post to help you navigate your way through the fog.

Overview: The Golden Thread

• What is the golden thread
• What are research aims ( examples )
• What are research objectives ( examples )
• What are research questions ( examples )
• The importance of alignment in the golden thread

What is the “golden thread”?

The golden thread simply refers to the collective research aims , research objectives , and research questions for any given project (i.e., a dissertation, thesis, or research paper ). These three elements are bundled together because it’s extremely important that they align with each other, and that the entire research project aligns with them.

Importantly, the golden thread needs to weave its way through the entirety of any research project , from start to end. In other words, it needs to be very clearly defined right at the beginning of the project (the topic ideation and proposal stage) and it needs to inform almost every decision throughout the rest of the project. For example, your research design and methodology will be heavily influenced by the golden thread (we’ll explain this in more detail later), as well as your literature review.

The research aims, objectives and research questions (the golden thread) define the focus and scope ( the delimitations ) of your research project. In other words, they help ringfence your dissertation or thesis to a relatively narrow domain, so that you can “go deep” and really dig into a specific problem or opportunity. They also help keep you on track , as they act as a litmus test for relevance. In other words, if you’re ever unsure whether to include something in your document, simply ask yourself the question, “does this contribute toward my research aims, objectives or questions?”. If it doesn’t, chances are you can drop it.

Alright, enough of the fluffy, conceptual stuff. Let’s get down to business and look at what exactly the research aims, objectives and questions are and outline a few examples to bring these concepts to life.

Research Aims: What are they?

Simply put, the research aim(s) is a statement that reflects the broad overarching goal (s) of the research project. Research aims are fairly high-level (low resolution) as they outline the general direction of the research and what it’s trying to achieve .

Research Aims: Examples

True to the name, research aims usually start with the wording “this research aims to…”, “this research seeks to…”, and so on. For example:

“This research aims to explore employee experiences of digital transformation in retail HR.”   “This study sets out to assess the interaction between student support and self-care on well-being in engineering graduate students”  

As you can see, these research aims provide a high-level description of what the study is about and what it seeks to achieve. They’re not hyper-specific or action-oriented, but they’re clear about what the study’s focus is and what is being investigated.

Need a helping hand?

Research Objectives: What are they?

The research objectives take the research aims and make them more practical and actionable . In other words, the research objectives showcase the steps that the researcher will take to achieve the research aims.

The research objectives need to be far more specific (higher resolution) and actionable than the research aims. In fact, it’s always a good idea to craft your research objectives using the “SMART” criteria. In other words, they should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound”.

Research Objectives: Examples

Let’s look at two examples of research objectives. We’ll stick with the topic and research aims we mentioned previously.  

For the digital transformation topic:

To observe the retail HR employees throughout the digital transformation. To assess employee perceptions of digital transformation in retail HR. To identify the barriers and facilitators of digital transformation in retail HR.

And for the student wellness topic:

To determine whether student self-care predicts the well-being score of engineering graduate students. To determine whether student support predicts the well-being score of engineering students. To assess the interaction between student self-care and student support when predicting well-being in engineering graduate students.

  As you can see, these research objectives clearly align with the previously mentioned research aims and effectively translate the low-resolution aims into (comparatively) higher-resolution objectives and action points . They give the research project a clear focus and present something that resembles a research-based “to-do” list.

Research Questions: What are they?

Finally, we arrive at the all-important research questions. The research questions are, as the name suggests, the key questions that your study will seek to answer . Simply put, they are the core purpose of your dissertation, thesis, or research project. You’ll present them at the beginning of your document (either in the introduction chapter or literature review chapter) and you’ll answer them at the end of your document (typically in the discussion and conclusion chapters).

The research questions will be the driving force throughout the research process. For example, in the literature review chapter, you’ll assess the relevance of any given resource based on whether it helps you move towards answering your research questions. Similarly, your methodology and research design will be heavily influenced by the nature of your research questions. For instance, research questions that are exploratory in nature will usually make use of a qualitative approach, whereas questions that relate to measurement or relationship testing will make use of a quantitative approach.  

Let’s look at some examples of research questions to make this more tangible.

Research Questions: Examples

Again, we’ll stick with the research aims and research objectives we mentioned previously.  

For the digital transformation topic (which would be qualitative in nature):

How do employees perceive digital transformation in retail HR? What are the barriers and facilitators of digital transformation in retail HR?  

And for the student wellness topic (which would be quantitative in nature):

Does student self-care predict the well-being scores of engineering graduate students? Does student support predict the well-being scores of engineering students? Do student self-care and student support interact when predicting well-being in engineering graduate students?  

You’ll probably notice that there’s quite a formulaic approach to this. In other words, the research questions are basically the research objectives “converted” into question format. While that is true most of the time, it’s not always the case. For example, the first research objective for the digital transformation topic was more or less a step on the path toward the other objectives, and as such, it didn’t warrant its own research question.

So, don’t rush your research questions and sloppily reword your objectives as questions. Carefully think about what exactly you’re trying to achieve (i.e. your research aim) and the objectives you’ve set out, then craft a set of well-aligned research questions . Also, keep in mind that this can be a somewhat iterative process , where you go back and tweak research objectives and aims to ensure tight alignment throughout the golden thread.

The importance of strong alignment

Alignment is the keyword here and we have to stress its importance . Simply put, you need to make sure that there is a very tight alignment between all three pieces of the golden thread. If your research aims and research questions don’t align, for example, your project will be pulling in different directions and will lack focus . This is a common problem students face and can cause many headaches (and tears), so be warned.

Take the time to carefully craft your research aims, objectives and research questions before you run off down the research path. Ideally, get your research supervisor/advisor to review and comment on your golden thread before you invest significant time into your project, and certainly before you start collecting data .  

Recap: The golden thread

In this post, we unpacked the golden thread of research, consisting of the research aims , research objectives and research questions . You can jump back to any section using the links below.

As always, feel free to leave a comment below – we always love to hear from you. Also, if you’re interested in 1-on-1 support, take a look at our private coaching service here.

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41 Comments

Thank you very much for your great effort put. As an Undergraduate taking Demographic Research & Methodology, I’ve been trying so hard to understand clearly what is a Research Question, Research Aim and the Objectives in a research and the relationship between them etc. But as for now I’m thankful that you’ve solved my problem.

Well appreciated. This has helped me greatly in doing my dissertation.

An so delighted with this wonderful information thank you a lot.

so impressive i have benefited a lot looking forward to learn more on research.

I am very happy to have carefully gone through this well researched article.

Infact,I used to be phobia about anything research, because of my poor understanding of the concepts.

Now,I get to know that my research question is the same as my research objective(s) rephrased in question format.

I please I would need a follow up on the subject,as I intends to join the team of researchers. Thanks once again.

Thanks so much. This was really helpful.

I know you pepole have tried to break things into more understandable and easy format. And God bless you. Keep it up

i found this document so useful towards my study in research methods. thanks so much.

This is my 2nd read topic in your course and I should commend the simplified explanations of each part. I’m beginning to understand and absorb the use of each part of a dissertation/thesis. I’ll keep on reading your free course and might be able to avail the training course! Kudos!

Thank you! Better put that my lecture and helped to easily understand the basics which I feel often get brushed over when beginning dissertation work.

This is quite helpful. I like how the Golden thread has been explained and the needed alignment.

This is quite helpful. I really appreciate!

The article made it simple for researcher students to differentiate between three concepts.

Very innovative and educational in approach to conducting research.

I am very impressed with all these terminology, as I am a fresh student for post graduate, I am highly guided and I promised to continue making consultation when the need arise. Thanks a lot.

A very helpful piece. thanks, I really appreciate it .

Very well explained, and it might be helpful to many people like me.

Wish i had found this (and other) resource(s) at the beginning of my PhD journey… not in my writing up year… 😩 Anyways… just a quick question as i’m having some issues ordering my “golden thread”…. does it matter in what order you mention them? i.e., is it always first aims, then objectives, and finally the questions? or can you first mention the research questions and then the aims and objectives?

Thank you for a very simple explanation that builds upon the concepts in a very logical manner. Just prior to this, I read the research hypothesis article, which was equally very good. This met my primary objective.

My secondary objective was to understand the difference between research questions and research hypothesis, and in which context to use which one. However, I am still not clear on this. Can you kindly please guide?

In research, a research question is a clear and specific inquiry that the researcher wants to answer, while a research hypothesis is a tentative statement or prediction about the relationship between variables or the expected outcome of the study. Research questions are broader and guide the overall study, while hypotheses are specific and testable statements used in quantitative research. Research questions identify the problem, while hypotheses provide a focus for testing in the study.

Exactly what I need in this research journey, I look forward to more of your coaching videos.

This helped a lot. Thanks so much for the effort put into explaining it.

What data source in writing dissertation/Thesis requires?

What is data source covers when writing dessertation/thesis

This is quite useful thanks

I’m excited and thankful. I got so much value which will help me progress in my thesis.

where are the locations of the reserch statement, research objective and research question in a reserach paper? Can you write an ouline that defines their places in the researh paper?

Very helpful and important tips on Aims, Objectives and Questions.

Thank you so much for making research aim, research objectives and research question so clear. This will be helpful to me as i continue with my thesis.

Thanks much for this content. I learned a lot. And I am inspired to learn more. I am still struggling with my preparation for dissertation outline/proposal. But I consistently follow contents and tutorials and the new FB of GRAD Coach. Hope to really become confident in writing my dissertation and successfully defend it.

As a researcher and lecturer, I find splitting research goals into research aims, objectives, and questions is unnecessarily bureaucratic and confusing for students. For most biomedical research projects, including ‘real research’, 1-3 research questions will suffice (numbers may differ by discipline).

Awesome! Very important resources and presented in an informative way to easily understand the golden thread. Indeed, thank you so much.

Well explained

The blog article on research aims, objectives, and questions by Grad Coach is a clear and insightful guide that aligns with my experiences in academic research. The article effectively breaks down the often complex concepts of research aims and objectives, providing a straightforward and accessible explanation. Drawing from my own research endeavors, I appreciate the practical tips offered, such as the need for specificity and clarity when formulating research questions. The article serves as a valuable resource for students and researchers, offering a concise roadmap for crafting well-defined research goals and objectives. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced researcher, this article provides practical insights that contribute to the foundational aspects of a successful research endeavor.

A great thanks for you. it is really amazing explanation. I grasp a lot and one step up to research knowledge.

I really found these tips helpful. Thank you very much Grad Coach.

I found this article helpful. Thanks for sharing this.

thank you so much, the explanation and examples are really helpful

This is a well researched and superbly written article for learners of research methods at all levels in the research topic from conceptualization to research findings and conclusions. I highly recommend this material to university graduate students. As an instructor of advanced research methods for PhD students, I have confirmed that I was giving the right guidelines for the degree they are undertaking.

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Research Project Guide

How To Create A Research Question In 6 Simple Steps

Learn how to create a research question in 6 simple steps. Transform your ideas into focused inquiries that drive your research forward!

Oct 26, 2024

Starting a research project can feel like staring at a blank canvas—intimidating and endless. Whether you’re a student or a seasoned researcher, the first step can be the hardest. A well-crafted research question is your guiding star, transforming chaos into clarity. So, how to create the research question ? This guide breaks down the process, helping you conduct fast research and write efficiently to skip the confusion and get straight to discovery.  If you need extra help, Otio’s AI research and writing partner is here to assist you. It’s like having a research buddy that helps you stay organized and efficient every step of the way.

Table Of Contents

What is a research question, types of research questions, key elements of a strong research question, mistakes to avoid while creating a research question, supercharge your researching ability with otio — try otio for free today.

A research question is the centerpiece of any study. It's the specific query your research aims to answer, guiding every decision you make. Think of it like a marked destination on a map—you're just wandering without it. This question determines your focus and directs your efforts throughout the project.

The Archery Analogy: Why Clarity Matters

consider you're an archer. Without a clear target, where do you aim? The research question is your bullseye. It ensures you don’t waste time or resources on irrelevant information. With a straightforward question, you know exactly where to direct your energy and keep your study on track.

Real-Life Examples That Hit the Mark

Consider these examples.

"What impact does social media usage have on the mental health of teenagers in New York?" or "How does the introduction of a minimum wage affect employment levels in small businesses in outer London?" These questions are clear, precise, and achievable. They don’t leave room for ambiguity, and that’s crucial.

The Essence of a Good Research Question

A solid research question is specific and realistic. It’s not vague or overly broad. Instead, it zeroes in on a particular issue or phenomenon, making it possible to find concrete answers. The more precise your question, the smoother your research journey will be.

1. Equip the Potential of Otio

Research can be overwhelming with so much information out there. Otio offers a solution by integrating AI into your research process. It allows you to efficiently gather and manage diverse data from bookmarks, tweets, articles, and videos. Otio’s AI-generated notes help you distill key insights, while its Q&A feature enables you to engage with these sources meaningfully. The platform accelerates your journey from idea to draft. Otio’s innovative features are designed to streamline your workflow and make the research process smoother. Let Otio be your AI research partner and explore it for free today !

2. Make It Specific and Focused

A robust research question needs to be clear and specific. If your question needs to be narrower, it can lead to a sprawling study that requires more direction. Focus on a particular aspect of your topic to ensure that your data and observations align with your hypothesis. This clarity will help you avoid getting lost in the weeds and make it easier to communicate your findings.

3. Choose What Interests You

When selecting a topic , pick something that piques your interest. This will make the research process more enjoyable and increase your chances of producing a compelling paper. Talk to your instructor if you’re unsure about the assignment’s requirements or need guidance. They can help ensure your chosen topic aligns with the assignment’s goals.

4. Do Some Initial Research

Before you write your research question, familiarize yourself with the existing literature. Focus on recent publications and critical works in the field. This will help you get a sense of the primary debates and identify gaps in the literature. Remember, you’re not trying to answer your research question at this stage—you’re just gathering information to help you refine it.

5. Narrow Your Focus

Once you’ve done preliminary research, it’s time to narrow your topic. Focus on a specific issue or debate within the broader topic. This will allow you to cover your chosen subject in greater depth. Consider factors such as period, location, organization, or group of people when narrowing your focus. This will help you zero in on the most relevant aspects of your topic and make your research question more manageable.

6. Craft Your Research Question

With your narrowed topic, you can now focus on crafting your research question . Ensure that your question outlines a straightforward task you must complete. This will help you stay focused as you research and write your paper. Generally, a substantial research question requires analyzing an issue or problem. Use words such as “how,” “why,” “critique,” “argue,” “examine,” and “evaluate” to frame your question. These questions will help you dig deeper into your topic and produce a more nuanced analysis.

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Research questions guide your study and dictate its trajectory. They can be qualitative or quantitative, depending on your goals and the nature of your research.

1. Qualitative Research Questions: Discover and Explore

Qualitative questions are about uncovering, explaining, and exploring phenomena. They are often broad and open-ended.

Exploratory Questions

These aim to understand a topic without influencing the results. They’re about learning more without bias. 

Research example

How is a specific chemical utilized in various industries?

Predictive Questions

These seek to understand future outcomes or intentions.

Why do consumers favor certain products over others?

Interpretive Questions

These focus on understanding behaviors in natural settings and how groups make sense of shared experiences.

How do researchers feel about AI assisting in the publishing process?

2. Quantitative Research Questions: Prove or Disprove Hypotheses

Quantitative questions test hypotheses by expressing relationships between variables.

Descriptive Questions

These are the most basic types, explaining when, where, why, or how something occurs.

How many generations of genes influence a future one?

Comparative Questions

These study groups with dependent variables by comparing one variable to another.

Do men and women have comparable metabolisms?

Relationship-Based Questions

These determine whether one variable affects another and are often used in experimental research.

How does drought affect a region's wildfire probability?

3. Frameworks for Crafting Research Questions

Crafting a research question can be streamlined using established frameworks, each suited to different research areas.

PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome)

This framework breaks a problem into searchable components, making it ideal for health research.

PICOT (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Timeframe)

It emphasizes the time needed for outcomes and is suited for clinical studies.

PICOC (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Context)

Includes context for questions about interventions in various settings.

PPSE (Problem, Population, Setting, Evaluation)

This is a standard method of assessment in education research. It assesses the effectiveness of educational interventions.

DPC (Decision, Problem, Context, Criteria)

Used in business research, focusing on decision-making processes.

PEO (Population, Exposure, Outcome)

Utilizes 'Exposure' instead of 'Intervention', which is used in health research for disease causes.

SPICE (Setting, Population, Intervention, Comparison, Evaluation)

This method, suitable for social science, evaluates interventions' impacts on groups.

SPIDER (Stakeholders, Problem, Intervention, Design, Evaluation, Results)

A newer framework for qualitative evidence synthesis across fields.

Let Otio be your AI research and writing partner — try Otio for free today !

Zero in on Focus

When crafting a research question , the focus is your best friend. A vital question should center around a single idea. Avoid cramming multiple questions into one. If you have numerous focuses, break them into separate questions or subquestions. Narrow is better than broad here.

Clarity and Specificity Are Essential

A good research question is clear and specific. Avoid vague and broad questions. Clearly state what you want to find out. This way, anyone reading your question knows what you aim to achieve. Steer clear of bulky language and jargon. Aim for clarity.

Keep It Feasible

Even a fascinating question is only helpful if you can answer it. Consider the methods needed to tackle your question. Know what data you'll need—primary or secondary—and how to analyze it. This will save you headaches later on.

Root It is a Research Gap

Your question should be rooted in a clear research gap and problem . With this, you can save time on a question already answered. Ensure you've clearly articulated your gap and that your question links directly to it.

Ensure Alignment with Your Aim

Your research question should align with your research aim. If they don’t align, you'll need to revise one. This will ensure a smooth and cohesive study.

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Craft Your Research with Precision

Mistakes happen, but some can derail your entire project. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls when writing a research question .

1. Keep It Structured

A research paper without structure is like a car without wheels. Stick to a precise format: introduction, methodology, data analysis, results, and conclusion. Place every part systematically. Diagrams and tables can also help illustrate your points.

2. Write Smoothly

Your sentences should flow like a gentle stream, not a bumpy road. Avoid complex sentences that confuse readers. Keep your writing simple, direct, and easy to follow.

3. Focus Your Data

Your research should be laser-focused on proving your hypothesis. Add only data that supports your argument. Exceeding word limits can frustrate your audience and cost you points.

4. Cite Your Sources

Citations are like a map for your research. They guide readers to the sources and enhance your work’s credibility. Forget to cite, and you risk losing trust.

5. Avoid Plagiarism

Plagiarism can sink your research like a stone. Use your own words, or use quotation marks for direct quotes. Passing off someone else’s work as your own is punishable and unethical.

6. Maintain a Formal Tone

A research paper isn’t a casual chat. Use a serious, academic tone and write in the third person. Avoid abbreviations and explain things scientifically. Your work should reflect the scholarly nature of your research.

Remember these tips, and your research question will be on point.

Researchers and students are buried in a mountain of content. The information is endless, whether it's articles, tweets, or videos. And the tools to manage it? They’re all over the place. That’s where Otio comes in . Consider having a single AI-powered workspace. Otio lets you gather data from bookmarks, PDFs, and YouTube videos. With this tool, you can stop juggling apps and focus on what matters.  

Extract Essential Insights Without Breaking a Sweat

Sifting through content is time-consuming. But what if you could get the key points instantly? With Otio , you can. It generates detailed notes and answers questions based on your sources. This means you can dig into the meat of your research without getting lost in the details. Plus, you can chat with your data, just like talking to ChatGPT. This makes understanding complex topics a breeze.  

Get from Idea to Draft Faster Than You Thought Possible

Starting a research paper can feel daunting. But with Otio, it's different . Once you’ve collected your data, you can draft it immediately. The AI helps you piece together your findings into a coherent narrative. It's like having a ghostwriter who knows precisely what you need. Researchers love this feature because it cuts down on time spent writing. Plus, it makes the whole process more enjoyable.  

Take Action—Let Otio Be Your Research Partner

Ready to make your life easier? Give Otio a try . It's free, so you can see how it can transform your research process. Whether you're a student, a researcher, or someone who loves learning, Otio is the tool you’ve been waiting for.

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• Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples

Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples

Published on 30 October 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 12 December 2023.

A research question pinpoints exactly what you want to find out in your work. A good research question is essential to guide your research paper , dissertation , or thesis .

All research questions should be:

• 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

Table of contents

How to write a research question, what makes a strong research question, research questions quiz, frequently asked questions.

You can follow these steps to develop a strong research question:

• Choose your topic
• Do some preliminary reading about the current state of the field
• Narrow your focus to a specific niche
• Identify the research problem that you will address

The way you frame your question depends on what your research aims to achieve. The table below shows some examples of how you might formulate questions for different purposes.

Using your research problem to develop your research question

Note that while most research questions can be answered with various types of research , the way you frame your question should help determine your choices.

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

Research questions anchor your whole project, so it’s important to spend some time refining them. The criteria below can help you evaluate the strength of your research question.

Focused and researchable

Feasible and specific, complex and arguable, relevant and original.

The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .

A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis – a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.

As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, it’s important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth.

This involves:

• Reading abstracts , prefaces, introductions , and conclusions
• Looking at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work
• Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarised in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

A research hypothesis is your proposed answer to your research question. The research hypothesis usually includes an explanation (‘ x affects y because …’).

A statistical hypothesis, on the other hand, is a mathematical statement about a population parameter. Statistical hypotheses always come in pairs: the null and alternative hypotheses. In a well-designed study , the statistical hypotheses correspond logically to the research hypothesis.

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Literature reviews.

• What is a literature review?
• What is a 'researchable' question?

Preliminary research

Generating ideas, refining your question, question frameworks.

• Further Resources for framing a question
• How to find the literature
• How to manage the reading and take notes that make sense
• How to bring it all together: examples, templates, links, guides

Questions vs Thesis statements

Questions and thesis statements both have the same purpose, which is to state what you are writing about and restrict your paper to a manageable topic.

• A question is phrased as a problem to solve
• A thesis statement is phrased as a  tentative answer , but both sides of the question must still be considered in your research

Badke, WB 2014,  Research strategies : finding your way through the information fog,  iUniverse, Bloomington IN.

Question - Does eating chocolate improve cognitive function?

Thesis statement - Eating chocolate may improve cognitive function.

You may find it helps to think in terms of answering a question at the beginning of your research to avoid unintentionally biasing yourself toward one answer.

Good research questions don't usually appear out of thin air.  You need to do some preliminary reading to understand the range of questions and answers relating to a topic before you can identify possible areas to focus on. 

You also need to consider the scope of your project, and make sure it is realistic given your timeframe and word count.

• Is there enough research to review? If there is not enough written on your topic to review, you will need to widen your scope, or change your question.  
• Is there too much? If there is too much literature on your topic to review, you will have to focus more tightly on one aspect.

These decisions cannot be made before you start.  Only reading about the issues that are being discussed in the existing academic literature will give you enough background knowledge to choose an achievable focus for your review.

Review articles

One way to get an overview of the body of research on your topic is to look for published review articles.

What's the difference between a primary research article and a review article?

• A primary research article is a description of a single study, investigation or experiment.
• A review article is a summary and analysis of several other studies, investigations, and experiments.

Review articles summarise the current state of understanding on a topic.

They can help you find:

• the main people working in an area of research
• recent advances and discoveries
• important primary research papers in the field
• significant gaps in the research
• current debates
• suggestions about where research might go next

IMPORTANT: please resist the temptation to use a published review article as a direct template for your own review, because this makes it very easy to unintentionally plagiarise!

Creating a mind map of topics from your preliminary reading can be a great way to generate ideas for possible research questions.  Mind mapping will allow you to:

• See an overview of your topic
• Identify connections between ideas and details
• Group emerging themes together (colour coding works well for this)

If you prefer to create a digital mind map, there are loads of software options to choose form (try Coggle , Xmind ,  Freeplane ,  MindMeister , Ayoa , or MindNode ), but I strongly urge you to consider using the traditional pen and paper method. 

Why go old-school?

Drawing your mind map by hand gives you complete freedom to concentrate on your ideas (and the relationships between them) without being distracted by trying to make software do what you want it to.

Your hand drawn mind map may not look pretty, but remember that this is a thinking tool .  It isn't supposed to be a work of art.

• Mind Mapping Worksheet (.docx)
• Mind Mapping Worksheet (.pdf)

When you have done some preliminary reading and brainstorming, you will probably find that you have several ideas that could be turned into focused research questions.  One way to do this is the tried-and-true 5W+H method:

• Refining Your Research Question Worksheet (.docx)
• Refining Your Research Question Worksheet (.pdf)

There are also several frameworks that have been developed to help researchers structure effective questions and clarify main concepts.  They are often used in Evidence Based Practice methodology for the health sciences, but some can also be useful in other disciplines.

Even when your question does not fit perfectly into any one framework, using part of one to clarify your thinking can help tremendously.

Here are some of the most common frameworks:

• PICO and variations

Useful for: clinical research

Richardson, WS, Wilson, MC, Nishikawa, J, & Hayward, RS 1995, 'The well-built clinical question: A key to evidence-based decisions',  ACP journal club, vol. 123, no. 3, pp. A12-A12.

Further resources for using PICO

Developing Your Search Question using PICO/PIO/PEO (Teeside University)

Seven steps to the perfect PICO search (EBSCO - CINAHL Complete)

Clinical examples using PICO (CIAP - Clinical Information Access Portal)

Useful for: qualitative research

Khan, KS, Kunz, R, Kleijnen, J, & Antes, G 2003,  Systematic reviews to support evidence-based medicine: How to review and apply findings of healthcare research , London: Royal Society of Medicine Press.

Useful for: qualitative / mixed methods research focused on samples

Cooke, A, Smith, D, & Booth, A 2012, 'Beyond PICO: The SPIDER tool for qualitative evidence synthesis',  Qualitative Health Research, vol. 22 no. 10, pp. 1435-1443.

Useful for: qualitative research examining a policy or service

Wildridge, V, & Bell, L 2002, 'How CLIP became ECLIPSE: A mnemonic to assist in searching for health policy/management information',  Health Information & Libraries Journal , vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 113–115.

More frameworks

A review of 38 question frameworks

Supplementary material from: Booth, A., Noyes, J., Flemming, K., Moore, G., Tunçalp, Ö., & Shakibazadeh, E. (2019). Formulating questions to explore complex interventions within qualitative evidence synthesis. BMJ global health, 4(Suppl 1), e001107. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001107

eBook : Read chapter 4, on how to frame a searchable/answerable/valid research question. 

This book can be downloaded and read offline: 

Seminal work from literary giant Umberto Eco brings commonsense to the production of knowledge and research outputs.

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