“In qualitative research, the intent is to explore the complex set of factors surrounding the central phenomenon and present the varied perspectives or meanings that participants hold.

  • Ask one or two central questions followed by no more than five to seven sub-questions.
  • Relate the central question to the specific qualitative strategy of inquiry.
  • Begin the research questions with the words what or how to convey an open and emerging design.
  • Focus on a single phenomenon or concept.
  • Use exploratory verbs that convey the language of emerging design.

These verbs tell the reader that the study will:

  • Discover (e.g., grounded theory)
  • Seek to understand (e.g., ethnography)
  • Explore a process (e.g., case study)
  • Describe the experiences (e.g., phenomenology)
  • Report the stories (e.g., narrative research)”

(Cresswell, J., (2009), p. 129-130)

Creswell, J. (2009). Chapter seven:  Research questions & hypotheses, Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (p. 129-144). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.10302.48963