# Research question

Research question(s) are fundamental for guiding the conduct and reporting of scientific research studies. A question specifies a purpose and a destination.
The research question provides the DNA for a successful research project. Therefore, time invested in development and refinement of research questions is generally well spent.
Note that a research question differs from an aim or objective; for one thing, it ends with a question mark.

## Developing research questions

* In the early stages of research projects, brainstorm a series of possible research questions
* Formulate research questions based on:
** One or more theories
** Critical reading of research
** Real-world observations
* Consider and discuss the pros and cons of each question, then select, and refine
* Use open-ended research questions (e.g., What is the effect of s on t?) rather than closed-ended questions (e.g., Is u better w?), although the latter may be appropriate in some specific cases.
* Once research question(s) are established, consider generating hypotheses, which are generally more specific statements to be tested.
* A well-developed research question provides a clear focus for the design and conduct of the study. However, it may be necessary to revise the question during the conduct of a study.
* Research questions can be written in sentences and paragraphs. They can also be numbered.

## Are questions researchable?

* Meaningful
** Has the research question already been satisfactorily answered?
** Does the research question matter? (is the topic worth investigating in theoretical and practical terms)?
* Is the research specific (focused) enough? (e.g., these questions are too broad: Is psychotherapy effective? Can attitudes be changed?)
* Can the research question be answered on an empirical basis? (e.g., does god exist? No. Is caramel the tastiest ice-cream flavour? Yes.)
* Can the research question be refined to specific, testable hypotheses?

## Example generic forms

* What is the relationship between a and b?
* What is the difference between f and g?
* Why do people do h?
* What is the effect of x on y?

## Example research questions

* What is the relationship between social support and mental health?
* What is the difference in mortality rates between countries with above and below 10% of Gross Domestic Product expenditure on healthcare?
* Why do people engage in physical exercise?
* How can the lifespan of a soap bubble be extended in different temperatures and atmospheric conditions?

## Criteria for assessing research questions

A research question can be assessed against the criteria represented by the acronym FINERMAPS (Hulley & Cummings, 2007; Ratan et al., 2019):
* Feasible
* Interesting
* Novel
* Ethical
* Relevant
* Manageable
* Appropriate
* Potential value and publishability
* Systematic
Criteria for assessing research questions :
| Criteria | Description |
| Feasible | The research can be realistically conducted within the available time, resources, and access to necessary data. |
| Interesting | The research question captivates the researcher's curiosity and sustains their motivation. |
| Novel | The research introduces new insights or perspectives, differing from existing studies. |
| Ethical | The research adheres to ethical standards, minimising harm and ensuring participant rights. |
| Relevant | The research addresses a meaningful gap or issue in the chosen field, contributing to academic or practical knowledge. |
| Manageable | The research scope is practical and within the researcher's capability to execute. |
| Appropriate | The research question aligns with logical, scientific, and institutional standards. |
| Potential value and publishability | The research has the potential to impact practice, policy, or knowledge, making it worthy of publication. |
| Systematic | The research follows a structured, methodical approach while allowing for creative thinking. |