What Makes a Good Research Question

In LRNT 522: Introduction to Research, Critical Reading and Writing, students were asked to compose a brief blog post highlighting  characteristics of a good research question after completing Unit 1 readings and additional search on this topic. Research questions play an important role in academic research as they determine the direction and focus of a study. The two points listed below stood out to me. I conducted this search in the context of a clinical research question because I am currently engaged in clinical education and was curious about what makes an excellent clinical research question. 

Relevance:

•  A good research question should be relevant to a significant societal or practice issue and should be of interest to multiple audiences (Mattick et al., 2018). When formulating a research question, researchers should consider their target audience and how the question’s answer will contribute to understanding the topic. By carefully crafting a research question, researchers can ensure that their work is both significant and relevant. 

Originality:

• The originality of the research question is an important factor to consider when formulating a research question. A good research question is one to which previous research has not provided an answer. Original research questions contribute to the existing body of knowledge and generate new insights by building on prior research (Mattick et al., 2018). Reading existing research in the field and looking for gaps or unanswered questions is an effective way to generate research questions. By posing an unanswered question, we can ensure that our research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field.

 A good research question is essential in a clinical setting because it can guide the research process and ensure that the findings are applicable to the target population.  A good research question will typically be both relevant and original. We can lay the groundwork for a compelling and insightful research paper by meticulously crafting a well-defined research question. 

Reference:

Mattick, K., Johnston, J., & de la Croix, A. (2018). How to…write a good research question. The Clinical Teacher, 15(2), 104-108. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.12776