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Research Project Guide

How To Create A Research Question In 6 Simple Steps

Learn how to create a research question in 6 simple steps. Transform your ideas into focused inquiries that drive your research forward!

Oct 26, 2024

Starting a research project can feel like staring at a blank canvas—intimidating and endless. Whether you’re a student or a seasoned researcher, the first step can be the hardest. A well-crafted research question is your guiding star, transforming chaos into clarity. So, how to create the research question ? This guide breaks down the process, helping you conduct fast research and write efficiently to skip the confusion and get straight to discovery.  If you need extra help, Otio’s AI research and writing partner is here to assist you. It’s like having a research buddy that helps you stay organized and efficient every step of the way.

Table Of Contents

What is a research question, types of research questions, key elements of a strong research question, mistakes to avoid while creating a research question, supercharge your researching ability with otio — try otio for free today.

A research question is the centerpiece of any study. It's the specific query your research aims to answer, guiding every decision you make. Think of it like a marked destination on a map—you're just wandering without it. This question determines your focus and directs your efforts throughout the project.

The Archery Analogy: Why Clarity Matters

consider you're an archer. Without a clear target, where do you aim? The research question is your bullseye. It ensures you don’t waste time or resources on irrelevant information. With a straightforward question, you know exactly where to direct your energy and keep your study on track.

Real-Life Examples That Hit the Mark

Consider these examples.

"What impact does social media usage have on the mental health of teenagers in New York?" or "How does the introduction of a minimum wage affect employment levels in small businesses in outer London?" These questions are clear, precise, and achievable. They don’t leave room for ambiguity, and that’s crucial.

The Essence of a Good Research Question

A solid research question is specific and realistic. It’s not vague or overly broad. Instead, it zeroes in on a particular issue or phenomenon, making it possible to find concrete answers. The more precise your question, the smoother your research journey will be.

1. Equip the Potential of Otio

Research can be overwhelming with so much information out there. Otio offers a solution by integrating AI into your research process. It allows you to efficiently gather and manage diverse data from bookmarks, tweets, articles, and videos. Otio’s AI-generated notes help you distill key insights, while its Q&A feature enables you to engage with these sources meaningfully. The platform accelerates your journey from idea to draft. Otio’s innovative features are designed to streamline your workflow and make the research process smoother. Let Otio be your AI research partner and explore it for free today !

2. Make It Specific and Focused

A robust research question needs to be clear and specific. If your question needs to be narrower, it can lead to a sprawling study that requires more direction. Focus on a particular aspect of your topic to ensure that your data and observations align with your hypothesis. This clarity will help you avoid getting lost in the weeds and make it easier to communicate your findings.

3. Choose What Interests You

When selecting a topic , pick something that piques your interest. This will make the research process more enjoyable and increase your chances of producing a compelling paper. Talk to your instructor if you’re unsure about the assignment’s requirements or need guidance. They can help ensure your chosen topic aligns with the assignment’s goals.

4. Do Some Initial Research

Before you write your research question, familiarize yourself with the existing literature. Focus on recent publications and critical works in the field. This will help you get a sense of the primary debates and identify gaps in the literature. Remember, you’re not trying to answer your research question at this stage—you’re just gathering information to help you refine it.

5. Narrow Your Focus

Once you’ve done preliminary research, it’s time to narrow your topic. Focus on a specific issue or debate within the broader topic. This will allow you to cover your chosen subject in greater depth. Consider factors such as period, location, organization, or group of people when narrowing your focus. This will help you zero in on the most relevant aspects of your topic and make your research question more manageable.

6. Craft Your Research Question

With your narrowed topic, you can now focus on crafting your research question . Ensure that your question outlines a straightforward task you must complete. This will help you stay focused as you research and write your paper. Generally, a substantial research question requires analyzing an issue or problem. Use words such as “how,” “why,” “critique,” “argue,” “examine,” and “evaluate” to frame your question. These questions will help you dig deeper into your topic and produce a more nuanced analysis.

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Research questions guide your study and dictate its trajectory. They can be qualitative or quantitative, depending on your goals and the nature of your research.

1. Qualitative Research Questions: Discover and Explore

Qualitative questions are about uncovering, explaining, and exploring phenomena. They are often broad and open-ended.

Exploratory Questions

These aim to understand a topic without influencing the results. They’re about learning more without bias. 

Research example

How is a specific chemical utilized in various industries?

Predictive Questions

These seek to understand future outcomes or intentions.

Why do consumers favor certain products over others?

Interpretive Questions

These focus on understanding behaviors in natural settings and how groups make sense of shared experiences.

How do researchers feel about AI assisting in the publishing process?

2. Quantitative Research Questions: Prove or Disprove Hypotheses

Quantitative questions test hypotheses by expressing relationships between variables.

Descriptive Questions

These are the most basic types, explaining when, where, why, or how something occurs.

How many generations of genes influence a future one?

Comparative Questions

These study groups with dependent variables by comparing one variable to another.

Do men and women have comparable metabolisms?

Relationship-Based Questions

These determine whether one variable affects another and are often used in experimental research.

How does drought affect a region's wildfire probability?

3. Frameworks for Crafting Research Questions

Crafting a research question can be streamlined using established frameworks, each suited to different research areas.

PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome)

This framework breaks a problem into searchable components, making it ideal for health research.

PICOT (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Timeframe)

It emphasizes the time needed for outcomes and is suited for clinical studies.

PICOC (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Context)

Includes context for questions about interventions in various settings.

PPSE (Problem, Population, Setting, Evaluation)

This is a standard method of assessment in education research. It assesses the effectiveness of educational interventions.

DPC (Decision, Problem, Context, Criteria)

Used in business research, focusing on decision-making processes.

PEO (Population, Exposure, Outcome)

Utilizes 'Exposure' instead of 'Intervention', which is used in health research for disease causes.

SPICE (Setting, Population, Intervention, Comparison, Evaluation)

This method, suitable for social science, evaluates interventions' impacts on groups.

SPIDER (Stakeholders, Problem, Intervention, Design, Evaluation, Results)

A newer framework for qualitative evidence synthesis across fields.

Let Otio be your AI research and writing partner — try Otio for free today !

Zero in on Focus

When crafting a research question , the focus is your best friend. A vital question should center around a single idea. Avoid cramming multiple questions into one. If you have numerous focuses, break them into separate questions or subquestions. Narrow is better than broad here.

Clarity and Specificity Are Essential

A good research question is clear and specific. Avoid vague and broad questions. Clearly state what you want to find out. This way, anyone reading your question knows what you aim to achieve. Steer clear of bulky language and jargon. Aim for clarity.

Keep It Feasible

Even a fascinating question is only helpful if you can answer it. Consider the methods needed to tackle your question. Know what data you'll need—primary or secondary—and how to analyze it. This will save you headaches later on.

Root It is a Research Gap

Your question should be rooted in a clear research gap and problem . With this, you can save time on a question already answered. Ensure you've clearly articulated your gap and that your question links directly to it.

Ensure Alignment with Your Aim

Your research question should align with your research aim. If they don’t align, you'll need to revise one. This will ensure a smooth and cohesive study.

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Craft Your Research with Precision

Mistakes happen, but some can derail your entire project. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls when writing a research question .

1. Keep It Structured

A research paper without structure is like a car without wheels. Stick to a precise format: introduction, methodology, data analysis, results, and conclusion. Place every part systematically. Diagrams and tables can also help illustrate your points.

2. Write Smoothly

Your sentences should flow like a gentle stream, not a bumpy road. Avoid complex sentences that confuse readers. Keep your writing simple, direct, and easy to follow.

3. Focus Your Data

Your research should be laser-focused on proving your hypothesis. Add only data that supports your argument. Exceeding word limits can frustrate your audience and cost you points.

4. Cite Your Sources

Citations are like a map for your research. They guide readers to the sources and enhance your work’s credibility. Forget to cite, and you risk losing trust.

5. Avoid Plagiarism

Plagiarism can sink your research like a stone. Use your own words, or use quotation marks for direct quotes. Passing off someone else’s work as your own is punishable and unethical.

6. Maintain a Formal Tone

A research paper isn’t a casual chat. Use a serious, academic tone and write in the third person. Avoid abbreviations and explain things scientifically. Your work should reflect the scholarly nature of your research.

Remember these tips, and your research question will be on point.

Researchers and students are buried in a mountain of content. The information is endless, whether it's articles, tweets, or videos. And the tools to manage it? They’re all over the place. That’s where Otio comes in . Consider having a single AI-powered workspace. Otio lets you gather data from bookmarks, PDFs, and YouTube videos. With this tool, you can stop juggling apps and focus on what matters.  

Extract Essential Insights Without Breaking a Sweat

Sifting through content is time-consuming. But what if you could get the key points instantly? With Otio , you can. It generates detailed notes and answers questions based on your sources. This means you can dig into the meat of your research without getting lost in the details. Plus, you can chat with your data, just like talking to ChatGPT. This makes understanding complex topics a breeze.  

Get from Idea to Draft Faster Than You Thought Possible

Starting a research paper can feel daunting. But with Otio, it's different . Once you’ve collected your data, you can draft it immediately. The AI helps you piece together your findings into a coherent narrative. It's like having a ghostwriter who knows precisely what you need. Researchers love this feature because it cuts down on time spent writing. Plus, it makes the whole process more enjoyable.  

Take Action—Let Otio Be Your Research Partner

Ready to make your life easier? Give Otio a try . It's free, so you can see how it can transform your research process. Whether you're a student, a researcher, or someone who loves learning, Otio is the tool you’ve been waiting for.

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Creating a Good Research Question

• Advice & Growth
• Process in Practice

Successful translation of research begins with a strong question. How do you get started? How do good research questions evolve? And where do you find inspiration to generate good questions in the first place?  It’s helpful to understand existing frameworks, guidelines, and standards, as well as hear from researchers who utilize these strategies in their own work.

In the fall and winter of 2020, Naomi Fisher, MD, conducted 10 interviews with clinical and translational researchers at Harvard University and affiliated academic healthcare centers, with the purpose of capturing their experiences developing good research questions. The researchers featured in this project represent various specialties, drawn from every stage of their careers. Below you will find clips from their interviews and additional resources that highlight how to get started, as well as helpful frameworks and factors to consider. Additionally, visit the Advice & Growth section to hear candid advice and explore the Process in Practice section to hear how researchers have applied these recommendations to their published research.

• Naomi Fisher, MD , is associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS), and clinical staff at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH). Fisher is founder and director of Hypertension Services and the Hypertension Specialty Clinic at the BWH, where she is a renowned endocrinologist. She serves as a faculty director for communication-related Boundary-Crossing Skills for Research Careers webinar sessions and the Writing and Communication Center .
• Christopher Gibbons, MD , is associate professor of neurology at HMS, and clinical staff at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Joslin Diabetes Center. Gibbons’ research focus is on peripheral and autonomic neuropathies.
• Clare Tempany-Afdhal, MD , is professor of radiology at HMS and the Ferenc Jolesz Chair of Research, Radiology at BWH. Her major areas of research are MR imaging of the pelvis and image- guided therapy.
• David Sykes, MD, PhD , is assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), he is also principal investigator at the Sykes Lab at MGH. His special interest area is rare hematologic conditions.
• Elliot Israel, MD , is professor of medicine at HMS, director of the Respiratory Therapy Department, the director of clinical research in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medical Division and associate physician at BWH. Israel’s research interests include therapeutic interventions to alter asthmatic airway hyperactivity and the role of arachidonic acid metabolites in airway narrowing.
• Jonathan Williams, MD, MMSc , is assistant professor of medicine at HMS, and associate physician at BWH. He focuses on endocrinology, specifically unravelling the intricate relationship between genetics and environment with respect to susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease.
• Junichi Tokuda, PhD , is associate professor of radiology at HMS, and is a research scientist at the Department of Radiology, BWH. Tokuda is particularly interested in technologies to support image-guided “closed-loop” interventions. He also serves as a principal investigator leading several projects funded by the National Institutes of Health and industry.
• Osama Rahma, MD , is assistant professor of medicine at HMS and clinical staff member in medical oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). Rhama is currently a principal investigator at the Center for Immuno-Oncology and Gastroenterology Cancer Center at DFCI. His research focus is on drug development of combinational immune therapeutics.
• Sharmila Dorbala, MD, MPH , is professor of radiology at HMS and clinical staff at BWH in cardiovascular medicine and radiology. She is also the president of the American Society of Nuclear Medicine. Dorbala’s specialty is using nuclear medicine for cardiovascular discoveries.
• Subha Ramani, PhD, MBBS, MMed , is associate professor of medicine at HMS, as well as associate physician in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care at BWH. Ramani’s scholarly interests focus on innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment of clinical trainees, faculty development in teaching, and qualitative research methods in medical education.
• Ursula Kaiser, MD , is professor at HMS and chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, and senior physician at BWH. Kaiser’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone regulates the expression of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone genes.

Insights on Creating a Good Research Question

Play Junichi Tokuda video

Play Ursula Kaiser video

Start Successfully: Build the Foundation of a Good Research Question

Start Successfully Resources

Ideation in Device Development: Finding Clinical Need Josh Tolkoff, MS A lecture explaining the critical importance of identifying a compelling clinical need before embarking on a research project. Play Ideation in Device Development video .

Radical Innovation Jeff Karp, PhD This ThinkResearch podcast episode focuses on one researcher’s approach using radical simplicity to break down big problems and questions. Play Radical Innovation .

Using Healthcare Data: How can Researchers Come up with Interesting Questions? Anupam Jena, MD, PhD Another ThinkResearch podcast episode addresses how to discover good research questions by using a backward design approach which involves analyzing big data and allowing the research question to unfold from findings. Play Using Healthcare Data .

Important Factors: Consider Feasibility and Novelty

Refining Your Research Question 

Play video of Clare Tempany-Afdhal

Play Elliott Israel video

Frameworks and Structure: Evaluate Research Questions Using Tools and Techniques

Frameworks and Structure Resources

Designing Clinical Research Hulley et al. A comprehensive and practical guide to clinical research, including the FINER framework for evaluating research questions. Learn more about the book .

Translational Medicine Library Guide Queens University Library An introduction to popular frameworks for research questions, including FINER and PICO. Review translational medicine guide .

Asking a Good T3/T4 Question  Niteesh K. Choudhry, MD, PhD This video explains the PICO framework in practice as participants in a workshop propose research questions that compare interventions. Play Asking a Good T3/T4 Question video

Introduction to Designing & Conducting Mixed Methods Research An online course that provides a deeper dive into mixed methods’ research questions and methodologies. Learn more about the course

Network and Support: Find the Collaborators and Stakeholders to Help Evaluate Research Questions

Network & Support Resource

Bench-to-bedside, Bedside-to-bench Christopher Gibbons, MD In this lecture, Gibbons shares his experience of bringing research from bench to bedside, and from bedside to bench. His talk highlights the formation and evolution of research questions based on clinical need. Play Bench-to-bedside.