FAQ: What is a research question and how do I develop one?

What is a Research Question?

A research question addresses the problem or issue you want to explore. It serves as a roadmap for your research, shaping your methodology and helping you organize your thoughts. The goal of your research is to answer your research question. 

Example

Topic

social media and mental health

Research Question

How are teenagers experiencing mental health challenges as a result of using social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram?

Developing a Research Question

Try these steps to formulate a research question:

1. Start by identifying your topic (e.g. social media and mental health).
2. Focus your topic by conducting background research  Ask: who, what, when, where, why? 
3. Formulate a question to ask about your topic. Ask open-ended "how" and "why" questions about your topic that require more than a yes or no answer.(e.g. How are social media sites harmful to one's mental health? )
4. Evaluate your question. Ask: Is your research question clear, focused, complex, and researchable? Revise and refine if possible. (e.g. How are teenagers experiencing mental health challenges as a result of using social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? ).

More Information

• Developing a Research Question Video (Shaprio Library)
• Developing a Research Question page on the Getting Started with Research Guide (Shapiro Library)

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