Nearly all children go through a phase where they’re extremely curious. In fact, a preschooler’s favorite word is often Why?
Asking questions―no matter your age―is a great way to learn. However, it’s even better when you ask the right questions. This applies to research projects, too!
Research questions bridge the gap between what you already know (or think you know) and what you want or need to know. They also help you stay focused on information that is actually related to your topic.
One student, Dev, wrote a research report about Japan’s culture. Before he started his project, he had many questions about the country. Here are some of the questions Dev wanted to ask:
| What festivals are celebrated in Japan, and what happens during them? |
| What is similar and different about the way Japanese people interact with each other, compared to my culture? |
| What religions are practiced in Japan, and how do they affect everyday life? |
| What kinds of entertainment are popular in Japan―what do Japanese people do for fun? |
How did Dev’s research questions help him complete his project? They acted as guides and reminders, which helped Dev search for information in a productive way. In other words, Dev’s research questions helped him do all of the things listed below. Click each row to learn more about the kinds of research questions that are most helpful.
Good research questions help you focus on the information you want to find. For example, Dev is looking for articles about Japan’s religions, festivals, social interactions, and entertainment. He does not need to see articles about Japan’s economy or geography.
You should not be able to answer your research questions using just one word or even a short, simple sentence. Also, research questions should require you to search for their answers. Dev’s research questions can’t be answered easily, nor is Japanese culture something with which Dev is already familiar.
Research questions keep your search for information from becoming too broad or too general. Dev’s goal isn’t to research all of Japan’s culture; instead, he will look specifically for facts about four aspects of the culture.
Good research questions also help you avoid a common trap: getting so focused on one topic that you ignore all the others. Although Dev may find Japanese entertainment the most interesting part of his research, his questions remind him to look for information about three other aspects of Japanese culture, too.
Think you’ve got a handle on the purpose of research questions? Use the activity below to make sure. Each question will ask you to evaluate a research question that a student might ask when doing the kind of research project that Dev is doing.
What is wrong with this research question: What is the culture of Zimbabwe like?
- It’s too narrow.
- It’s too broad.
- It’s easily answered.
Questions for this type of project should be about specific aspects of a country’s culture.
Questions for this type of project should be about specific aspects of a country’s culture.
Questions for this type of project should be about specific aspects of a country’s culture.
Why is this a good research question: What are some of the religious holidays and festivals celebrated by the people of Saudi Arabia?
- It is specific enough to generate good results, but it isn’t too broad.
- It is very broad and also focuses on more than one topic.
- It is easily answered by one or two words.
Good research questions are neither too broad or too narrow.
Good research questions are neither too broad or too narrow.
Good research questions are neither too broad or too narrow.
Why is this not an example of a good research question: Do the Blackfeet people have any festivals that they celebrate every year?
- It is not specific enough.
- It is too broad.
- It can be answered with one word.
Open-ended questions that require you to dig for answers make better research questions. The answer to this question is either yes or no.
Open-ended questions that require you to dig for answers make better research questions. The answer to this question is either yes or no.
Open-ended questions that require you to dig for answers make better research questions. The answer to this question is either yes or no.
Why should you ask questions about different aspects of a country’s culture rather than the entire culture as a whole?
- The entire culture would be too broad of a topic.
- The entire culture would be too narrow of a topic.
- The entire culture could be described in one or two sentences.
Every country’s culture is very complex.
Every country’s culture is very complex.
Every country’s culture is very complex.
If you find yourself asking a question that has a yes-or-no answer, what else can you ask to help you dig deeper?
- Why am I researching this?
- Is this a good research question?
- Why is the answer yes or no?
Create research questions that challenge you to find answers.
Create research questions that challenge you to find answers.
Create research questions that challenge you to find answers.
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly:
