Research question examples

Published on April 18, 2019 by Shona McCombes. Revised on June 5, 2020.

The research question is one of the most important parts of your

research project, thesis or dissertation. It’s important to spend
some time assessing and refining your question before you get
started.

The exact form of your question will depend on on the length of

your project, the type of research, the topic, and the research
problem. But all research questions should be focused, specific,
appropriately complex, and relevant to a social or scholarly issue.

Once you’ve read our guide on how to write a research question,

use these examples to work out if your question is strong enough.

 What effect does social media have on people’s minds?

 What effect does daily use of Twitter have on the attention span of under-
16s?

The first question is not specific enough: what type of social media? Which
people? What kind of effects? The second question defines its concepts more
clearly. It is researchable through qualitative and quantitative data collection.
  Why is there a housing crisis in the Netherlands?
 What impact have university internationalisation policies had on the
availability and affordability of housing in the Netherlands?

Starting with “why” often means that your question is not focused enough:
there are too many possible answers and no clear starting point for research.
By targeting just one aspect of the problem and using more specific terms,
the second question offers a clear path to finding an answer.

 Does the US or the UK have a better healthcare system?

 How do the US and the UK compare in health outcomes and patient
satisfaction among low-income people with chronic illnesses?

The first question is too broad and overly subjective: there’s no clear criteria
for what counts as “better”. The second question is much more researchable.
It uses clearly defined terms and narrows its focus to a specific population.

 What should political parties do about low voter turnout in region X?

 What are the most effective communication strategies for increasing voter
turnout among under-30s in region X?

It is generally not feasible for academic research to answer broad questions

about “what should be done”. The second question is more specific, and
aims to gain an understanding of possible solutions in order to make
informed recommendations.

 Has there been an increase in homelessness in San Francisco in the past ten
years?
 How have economic, political and social factors affected patterns of
homelessness in San Francisco over the past ten years?

The first question is too simple: it can be answered with a simple yes or
no. The second question is more complex, requiring in-depth investigation
and the development of an original argument.
  What factors led to women gaining the right to vote in the UK in 1918?
 How did Irish women perceive and relate to the British women’s suffrage
movement?

The first question is too broad and not very original. It has been extensively
researched by historians, and it would be very difficult to contribute new
knowledge. The second question identifies an underexplored aspect of the
topic that requires investigation and discussion of various primary and
secondary sources to answer.

 How can sexual health services and LGBT support services in district X be
improved?
 How can sexual health clinics in district X develop their services and
communications to be more LGBT-inclusive?

The first question is not focused enough: it tries to address two different
practical problems (the quality of sexual health services and LGBT support
services). Even though the two issues are related, it’s not clear how the
research will bring them together. The second integrates the two problems
into one focused, specific question.

 Where do the majority of immigrants to Germany come from?

 What are the similarities and differences in the experiences of recent Turkish,
Polish and Syrian immigrants in Berlin?

The first question is too simple, asking for a straightforward fact that can be
easily found online. The second is a more complex comparative question that
requires data collection and detailed discussion to answer.

 How is race represented in Shakespeare’s Othello?

 How have modern adaptations of Shakespeare’s Othello dealt with the
theme of racism through casting, staging and allusion to contemporary
events?

The first question is not original or relevant — it has been answered so many
times that it would be very difficult to contribute anything new. The second
question takes a specific angle with scope to make an original argument, and
has more relevance to current social concerns and debates.
  How can drunk driving be prevented?
 What effect do different legal approaches have on the number of people who
drive after drinking in European countries?

The first question asks for a ready-made solution, and is not focused or
researchable. The second question is a clearer comparative question, but
note that it may not be practically feasible. For a smaller research project or
thesis, it could be narrowed down further to focus on the effectiveness of
drunk driving laws in just one or two countries.

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Shona McCombes
Shona has a bachelor's and two master's degrees, so she's an
expert at writing a great thesis. She has also worked as an editor
and teacher, working with students at all different levels to improve
their academic writing.

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30 comments

Tankiso Sents'o · September 1, 2020 at 8:22 AM

Very helpful

Reply

Stephen Panji · August 31, 2020 at 3:04 AM

My topic is " Correlation between Poverty and Crime" A case study
of Twashuka compound. The variables am looking at are Poverty,
Unemployment, Household income, and Crime rates. Now I need
you to help on how to develop questions.

Reply

Bo · August 28, 2020 at 7:48 PM

That is very helpful. Can anyone please help me here? I am working

on a research on how mentors help motivate girls of color to
become aware of, interested, and prepared for STEM? Not quite
sure how to generate a research question out of it.

Reply

Dr.P.THANGARAJ · August 28, 2020 at 3:44 PM

thanks a lot mam

very nice and briefly explain about the design research questions
for thesis

Reply

Abner P · July 28, 2020 at 1:38 AM

What are the negative effects that social media use has on family
relationships?

Is this a good Question?

Reply
 wilchen papz · August 23, 2020 at 5:30 AM

Hi Abner,

I like that you are concern with the effect of social media on a
family matter. With that, your question should be specific what
"social media"? In terms of family relationship, what type of family
you want to address is it for nuclear family, extended, or childless
family, and other thing of similar type? Do you want to address it to
the whole family in the world, regardless of belief, traditions, and
ethnicity?
You can have it more specific.

Reply

Nomthie · July 25, 2020 at 12:17 AM

Can you please tell me whether this research question is correctly

formulated for qualitative study.

''How do young adults with physical disabilities experience

transition to adulthood''?

Reply

Shona McCombes (Scribbr-team) · July 29, 2020 at 7:53 PM

Hi Nomthie,

Your research question looks good to me!

Reply
Thembeka · June 29, 2020 at 6:02 PM

Can anyone please help, im writing a research proposal and my

main topic is "Analytical study of human trafficking in South Africa"
Do this topic fall under qualitative or Quantitative research

Reply

Shona McCombes (Scribbr-team) · July 21, 2020 at 5:04 PM

Hi Thembeka,

You could approach this topic in either a quantitative or a

qualitative way.

A quantitative research approach would involve collecting

numerical data about trafficking in South Africa (for example, about
the numbers, locations, and characteristics of trafficking victims)
and statistically analyzing it.

A qualitative research approach would involve collecting textual or

audio data (e.g. through interviews) to analyze experiences and
perceptions of trafficking.

You can also choose a mixed methods approach that incorporates

both aspects.

Hope that helps – good luck with your proposal!

Reply

Very helpful thanks · June 23, 2020 at 10:41 PM

will use it as part of a guideline for students

Reply

Mark Manu · June 21, 2020 at 1:54 PM

Good one

Reply

peter · June 11, 2020 at 3:33 PM

Thanks for your good work, you have sharpened my skills in

formulating questions.

Reply

Connor ferguson · June 10, 2020 at 3:44 AM

pretty good!

Reply

mizanur · February 4, 2020 at 6:22 PM

Very helpful

Reply
Mercy · November 27, 2019 at 7:33 PM

This is really amazing. It help the way I now think. I actually thought
one can just write and get material I never knew it involve a lot of
wisdom. It is not easy though so I will want to suggest that a link
should be created whereby people questions can be reframe after
being asked. Thanks

Reply

George Chilenga · November 17, 2019 at 6:07 PM

Thanks very much for your help. I have learnt how i can create good
research questions with ease. This fits well with what my professor
told me during my research proposal.

Reply

Kezia Bentil · October 8, 2019 at 1:09 AM

Very explicit

Reply

Danjuma paul · July 12, 2019 at 2:57 PM

Please I want three each, a list of activities that are researchable

and those that are not researchable?

Reply
ntsane · May 12, 2019 at 2:55 PM

would you please help me to write research question on this topic

how does bim has effective cost management when it comes to
construction

Reply

Selina L Zulu · May 11, 2019 at 1:14 PM

Your work has been very helpful. It has been an eye opener in the
world of research

Reply

Genevieve · May 9, 2019 at 6:46 PM

Please, assist me to write 6 research questions for the topic: A

comparative study of fluent and stuttered speeches: A case study of
French bilinguals. Thanks

Reply

Halcyone Ashford · May 7, 2019 at 9:42 PM

I really need help in constructing my research questions. Your

guidelines are really interesting.

Reply
Sakala Shemidah · August 15, 2018 at 3:31 PM

Comment kindly help me with a research question . I'm a students

of Business Studies, undergraduate.

Reply

Laura Draws (Scribbr-team) · August 15, 2018 at 6:55 PM

Dear Sakala,

Thanks for your comment! :)

Unfortunately, I can not help you with your research question with
only such few information.
If you contact us via mail or chat we will try to help you out.

Cheers,
Laura

Reply

Farooq · May 17, 2019 at 10:37 AM

Please would like to helping me in writing few research qustions.

My main research topic is : Trust on political institutions would
strengthen democratic system.

Reply

Dzade Ruben · August 13, 2018 at 3:35 AM

I want you to help me write a research question as a maths student.
I attend Valley view university (techiman campus Ghana).

Reply

Leon Smits (Scribbr-team) · August 14, 2018 at 9:24 PM

Dear Ruben,

Thanks for your comment! I'm not sure if we can help you with this,
but I'd gladly give it a try!
If you contact us via our chat, I or one of my colleagues would be
happy to try to help you.

Hope to hear from you!

Cheers,
Leon

Reply

Christie Obey · July 21, 2018 at 4:05 PM

Just helpful.

Reply

Umar sadiq · June 25, 2018 at 5:07 AM

Iam impress

Reply
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