Study Notes on Writing a Good Research Question

Writing a Good Research Question

By Meghan Edmondson, PhD, RN

Key Features of a Good Research Question

  • Clear and Focused:
    • The question should directly address a specific aspect of the topic.
  • Researchable:
    • The question must be possible to answer through data collection and analysis.
  • Original:
    • The question should contribute new insights or perspectives rather than restating common knowledge.
  • Feasible:
    • The researcher must be able to realistically conduct the research within the given constraints (time, resources).
  • Relevant:
    • The question should hold significance in the context of current issues or fields of study.

Ensuring Clarity and Specificity in Research Questions

PICO Framework
  • The PICO framework is a structured approach to develop a clear and specific research question.
    • P: Population
    • I: Intervention
    • C: Comparison (Control)
    • O: Outcome
PICO Example
  1. Population: College students with ADHD at KSU
  2. Intervention: A 26-minute high-intensity cycling exercise
  3. Comparison: College students without ADHD at KSU
  4. Outcome(s): Serum BDNF levels, ADHD symptom severity, executive function

Examples of Research Questions

Bad Research Questions
  1. Why do people use social media?
    • This question is not focused enough. It leaves ambiguity regarding which people or which social media platforms are being discussed and is not measurable.
  2. Does social media use impact college students?
    • This question is too broad as it does not specify how social media impacts college students (emotionally, academically, etc.) or which social media platforms are involved.
Good Research Question
  • How does social media use impact academic performance among college students?
    • This question is clear and focused.
    • It is researchable (measurable).
    • It remains relevant to contemporary issues faced by college students.

Final Consideration

How can you write a good research question for your topic?
  • Reflect on the elements discussed above to guide your formulation of research questions that meet the established criteria.