When looking at research questions there are many things that are necessary to determine. This include but are not limited to:

  • What are you hoping to answer (Do you have a question or are you hoping to find one with the research)?
    • This leads to the type of research that will be looked at (primary or secondary)
    • You will also use this question to decide the research method to be used (Qualitative, quantitative or mixed)
    • These second two questions cannot be answered without examining the first, but you may not have a conclusive answer to the first until after completing the latter.
  • What is the purpose of finding this research question
    • This is the who is going to care question. You can do research and write about anything but without looking at the purpose it won’t have a cohesive plan to put it all together.
    • Sometimes the answer of “who cares” can be answered with “the researcher” but knowing this in advance can save a lot of wasted time.

Here is a good video I’ve found online that also explores creating a research question:


N. (2014, July 28). Developing a Research Question. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWLYCYeCFak