Research questions serve a key role in the operationalizing of the research process, and are a reminder of the purpose of the research activity that is being conducted. In this way, research questions are both practical, and serve as a “north star” of the broader purpose of the research activity.
Ideally, research questions should “flow logically and not take the research into different directions” (McCaig & Dahlberg, 2010).
The Writing Centre at Royal Roads University advises that a research question should “be clear and specific; state the focus of the investigation in the research; and not be answerable with a yes/no response” (Royal Roads University, n.d.).
References:
McCaig, C., & Dahlberg, L. (2010). Practical research and evaluation: A start-to-finish guide for practitioners. Practical Research and Evaluation, 1-272.
Royal Roads University, n.d., Developing your essay. https://libguides.royalroads.ca/developing_essay