Research questions are the core inquiries your study seeks to answer. They give your research direction, focus, and purpose transforming a general idea into a clear investigation. Without strong research questions, your study risks becoming vague, scattered, or irrelevant.
This guide will explain what research questions are, why they matter, and how to write good ones. Whether you’re working on a thesis, capstone, or any school project, strong research questions are the first real step to doing a meaningful and successful study.
Table of Contents
What Are Research Questions?
Research questions are a crucial part of Chapter 1 in a research paper, thesis, or dissertation. These are clear, focused questions that guide what your study aims to discover or explain.
While your research objectives state what you plan to achieve, research questions frame the inquiries that your study will answer through data collection and analysis.
In simple terms, this section answers:
- What specific questions is the study trying to answer?
- How do these questions relate to the research problem?
- What information will the researcher collect to address these questions?
This section translates your Statement of the Problem and Research Objectives into concrete, answerable questions.
Purpose of the Research Questions
The main purpose of the Research Questions section is to define what the study is trying to find out.
Strong research questions help:
- Focus the direction of the research
- Determine what data needs to be collected
- Guide the choice of methods and tools
- Form the basis for interpreting results and drawing conclusions
Without clear research questions, a study may become scattered or lose focus. These questions give your research clarity and purpose.
Types of Research Questions
The type of research questions you write depends on your research purpose and design.
Here are the common types:
- Descriptive: These ask about characteristics, trends, or factual information.
- Example: What is the level of academic stress among senior high school students?
- Comparative: These compare two or more groups, conditions, or variables.
- Example: How does academic performance differ between students in public and private schools?
- Causal These explore cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
- Example: Does study time affect exam performance among college freshmen?
- Exploratory: These investigate new or emerging areas with little existing research.
- Example: What are students’ views on using AI tools for academic writing?
- Predictive: These aim to forecast outcomes based on specific variables.
- Example: Can GPA be predicted based on study habits and sleep quality?
- Action-Oriented: These focus on solving a specific issue or improving practice.
- Example: What strategies can improve online learning engagement among high school students?
What to Include in the Research Questions
Your research questions section should be clear, focused, and directly aligned with your study’s objectives. Here’s what to include:
- A Clear Main Research Question
- This is based on your general objective
- It should be broad enough to cover your entire study
- Acts as the overarching question your research aims to answer
Example: What is the impact of social media usage on the academic performance of senior high school students?
- A List of Specific Research Questions
- Each specific question should come from a specific objective
- These should be narrower in scope, direct, and answerable through your chosen research methods
Example:
- What is the average number of hours students spend on social media daily?
- How does social media usage affect students’ concentration during study hours?
- What differences exist in academic performance between frequent and occasional social media users?
- Alignment with Objectives
- Each research question should clearly match a specific research objective
- Keep a one-to-one relationship: one question per objective
- This ensures your study remains focused and easy to track
- Action-Oriented Language
- Use clear, measurable, and focused terms
- Common research question stems include:
- “What is…”
- “How does…”
- “To what extent…”
- “Why…”
- Avoid vague or overly broad phrases like “Is there a relationship…” without specifying what, how, or who
Qualities of a Strong Research Question
Good research questions are not just guesses, they are strategic.
Here’s what makes them effective:
1. S.M.A.R.T. Framework
Use the S.M.A.R.T. model to check if your questions are research-ready:
| Criteria | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Specific | Clear and focused. Avoid vague terms like “education” or “performance.” | Weak: What about education? Strong: How does online learning affect test scores in Math? |
| Measurable | The question should allow for data collection through surveys, interviews, observations, etc. | Ask yourself: Can I collect data to answer this? Example: What is the average daily screen time of high school students? |
| Achievable | Realistic within your time, location, and resources. Avoid overly ambitious or nationwide-scale questions. | Don’t ask: How does social media affect students in all universities in the country? Better: How does social media use affect academic focus among senior high school students in [X] school? |
| Relevant | Aligned with your research problem and objectives. Every question should directly help solve the problem you’re studying. | Ask: Does this question help address my Statement of the Problem? |
| Time-Bound (Optional) | Includes a time frame if needed, especially for longitudinal or project-based studies. | Example: How does student engagement change during the 2024–2025 school year? |
2. Additional Traits of Strong Research Questions
Strong research questions should also meet these academic standards:
- Aligned with the Research Problem and Objectives: Every research question must directly address the problem and tie into one specific objective. If it doesn’t serve the main goal, revise or remove it.
- Clear and Academically Appropriate Language: Use formal, academic language. Avoid slang, vague expressions, or overly casual words like “stuff,” “things,” or “vibe.”
- Focused and Limited in Scope: Avoid questions that are too broad (unmanageable) or too narrow (too limited for analysis).
- Too broad: What are the effects of education on society?
- Too narrow: What are the effects of one math app on one student’s quiz score last Monday?
- Logically Ordered: Arrange your questions based on how your research will flow.
- Start with descriptive or exploratory questions
- Then move to comparative, analytical, or causal ones
- End with recommendation or action-based questions if relevant
- Avoid Yes/No Questions: Yes/no questions are too shallow. Instead, frame questions to encourage detailed, evidence-based answers.
- Weak: Do students like online learning?
- Strong: What factors influence students’ satisfaction with online learning?
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Be careful not to fall into these traps when writing your research questions:
- Vague questions: These are too general and hard to investigate.
- Fix: Ask yourself, “What exactly do I want to find out?”
- Overlapping with objectives: Research questions ask what you want to discover; objectives state what you’ll do.
- Fix: Don’t copy-paste your objectives. Rephrase them into clear, investigative questions.
- Using weak verbs: Words like “understand,” “know,” or “realize” are not measurable or researchable.
- Fix: Use strong, action-oriented verbs like determine, assess, analyze, or explore.
- Too many questions: Having too many questions can make your study unfocused and difficult to manage.
- Fix: Stick to one main question and 3–5 specific research questions.
- Including methods in the question: Research questions should focus on what you want to find out, not how you’ll find it.
- Fix: Avoid phrasing like “Will a survey be conducted?” Save that for your methodology section.
How Research Questions Connect to Other Sections
Research questions don’t stand alone, they’re tied to every major part of your study. Each section in your research paper builds on or is shaped by the questions you ask.
| Section | How It Connects to Research Questions |
|---|---|
| Statement of the Problem | Research questions are directly derived from the problem. They break down the central issue into specific, answerable parts. |
| Research Objectives | Each objective has a matching research question. Objectives guide actions; questions guide inquiry. |
| Hypotheses (Quantitative only) | Research questions form the basis for hypotheses. If your question explores relationships or effects, hypotheses offer predicted answers to test. |
| Methodology | The type and structure of your questions dictate your research design, data collection tools, and analysis methods (e.g., surveys, experiments, interviews). |
| Significance of the Study | Strong questions highlight the value of the research. The clearer and more relevant your questions, the easier it is to show why your study matters. |
Related Guides
Explore these key sections to strengthen your Chapter 1:
- Chapter 1 Research Introduction
- Background of the Study
- Statement of the Problem
- Objectives of the Study (General & Specific)
- Research Questions / Hypotheses
- Significance of the Study
- Scope and Delimitations
- Definition of Terms
- Summary / Conclusion
Research Question Resources
Craft sharper, clearer research questions that drive your entire study. These upcoming tools are designed to help you ask the right questions from the start:
How to Write Research Questions →
- Coming Soon: SMART Research Questions: A Quick Guide →
- Coming Soon: Examples of Good vs. Weak Research Questions →
- Coming Soon: Checklist: Are Your Research Questions Clear, Focused, and Aligned? →
- Coming Soon: Research Questions vs. Hypotheses: Know the Difference →
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Research Questions
What is a research question, and why is it important?
A research question is the core inquiry your entire study revolves around. It defines what you’re trying to figure out, helping you stay focused. It’s the bridge between your problem and your objectives, guiding everything from your method to your data analysis.
How many research questions do I need?
Typically:
1 main research question – based on your general objective and 3–5 specific research questions – aligned with your specific objectives
Too few = vague. Too many = unfocused.
What makes a research question strong?
Strong research questions are:
1. Specific (not too broad or vague)
2. Measurable (can be answered with data)
3. Achievable (realistic to explore)
4. Relevant (solves the actual research problem)
5. Time-bound (optional, but helps focus)
What’s the difference between research questions and research objectives?
1. Research questions ask: What do I want to find out?
2. Objectives state: What will I do to find that out?
Example:
Objective: To explore students’ attitudes toward online exams
Question: What are students’ attitudes toward online exams?
Can I just turn my objectives into questions?
Yes! But don’t just flip the wording. Make sure your question truly asks something that needs answering, not just rephrasing an action. Think curiosity, not commands.
Should my research questions include the method I’ll use (e.g., survey or interview)?
No. Keep the “how” in your methodology section. Your research question should focus on what you want to find out, not how you’ll do it.
Is it okay to ask Yes/No questions?
Avoid them. Yes/No questions shut down discussion and don’t encourage analysis. Instead, ask open-ended questions that start with “What,” “How,” “Why,” “To what extent,” or “In what ways.”
Can I change my research questions later on?
Yes! But only during the early stages. If your review of literature or pilot study reveals a better direction, tweak your questions. Just make sure all parts of your paper stay aligned.
Do qualitative and quantitative studies use different types of research questions?
Yes.
1. Quantitative = measurable, focused on variables, often lead to hypotheses.
2. Qualitative = open-ended, exploratory, focus on meaning and experience.
Examples:
Quantitative: What is the relationship between sleep hours and academic performance?
Qualitative: How do students describe their experience of remote learning?
How do I know if my research question is too broad or too narrow?
Ask yourself:
1. Can I answer this within my timeframe and resources?
2. Does it focus on a specific group, setting, or concept?
3. Can I find existing data or will I need to create my own? If it feels overwhelming, it’s too broad. If you can answer it in one paragraph, it’s probably too narrow.
Can I use multiple types of research questions in one study?
Absolutely. Many studies combine descriptive, comparative, and causal questions, just make sure they’re logically connected and aligned with your objectives.
Do I need to write research questions for both qualitative and quantitative parts if my study is mixed methods?
Yes. Mixed methods research often has distinct research questions for the qualitative and quantitative components. You can also include an overarching question that links both parts together.
Final Thoughts
Research questions are the heart of your study. They don’t just guide your research, they define its direction, purpose, and clarity.
Strong, well-formulated research questions help you:
- Stay focused on your topic
- Align your work with your objectives and problem statement
- Collect the right data
- Choose the right methods
- Draw meaningful conclusions
If your questions are weak or vague, your study becomes confusing and scattered. But when they’re clear, specific, and aligned they give your entire research structure.
Bottom line: Your research questions are not just a checklist item. They are the foundation of your investigation. Get them right, and the rest of your study will fall into place.
Bottom line: precise objectives turn a good research idea into a well-executed study.
Note: We’re not your school’s official research coordinator, but our guides are designed to support and guide your writing process. Always follow your institution’s specific guidelines and formatting requirements.
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