Examples of Research Questions
What is a Research Question?
A research question is a statement that helps to focus your research and guide your investigation. It provides a way to narrow your topic and focus on a specific area of interest within that topic. Research questions are generally used to start an investigation into a subject and they usually take one of three forms: descriptive, exploratory, or explanatory.
Types of Research Questions
Descriptive Research Questions
Descriptive research questions are used to describe characteristics of a population. They provide a general overview of the topic and are used to collect data that can be used for further research. Examples of descriptive research questions include:
- What is the average age of people who visit amusement parks?
- What is the average income of people living in a certain city?
- What percentage of people own a smartphone?
- What is the most popular type of music among teenagers?
Exploratory Research Questions
Exploratory research questions are used to explore a topic and identify potential relationships. They are used to determine the current state of knowledge on a topic and to uncover any gaps in the existing research. Examples of exploratory research questions include:
- What factors influence the decision to purchase a new car?
- What factors influence the success of a business?
- How does the Internet affect the way people communicate?
- What are the causes of poverty in certain regions?
Explanatory Research Questions
Explanatory research questions are used to explain relationships between two or more variables. They are used to identify the cause and effect relationships in a given situation. Examples of explanatory research questions include:
- Does the amount of time spent on social media affect academic performance?
- Does the use of technology in the classroom improve student learning?
- Does the use of renewable energy sources reduce the cost of electricity?
- Does the presence of a mentor improve job satisfaction?
Tips for Writing Research Questions
When writing research questions, it is important to consider the scope of the research. Research questions should be specific and focused, and they should be framed in a way that allows you to collect data that can be used to answer the question. Additionally, research questions should be stated in a way that allows for replication of the research. Here are some tips for writing effective research questions:
- Be specific: Limit the scope of the research to a specific topic or area of interest.
- Be clear: Make sure the research question is stated clearly and can be easily understood.
- Be focused: Make sure the research question is focused and does not contain any extraneous information.
- Be replicable: Make sure the research question can be replicated by other researchers.
Conclusion
Research questions are a vital part of any research project and they can help to focus your research and guide your investigation. There are three types of research questions: descriptive, exploratory, and explanatory. When writing research questions, it is important to consider the scope of the research and make sure the questions are specific, clear, focused, and replicable.