Research Question

Can I change my Research Question?

Yes - sometimes it's necessary to change your RQ as you work through the essay. Perhaps your first RQ was not worded precisely enough, or you have uncovered material during the research phase which means you have been asking the wrong question. Changing your RQ can, in fact, be the sign of good research. A research question should always be considered provisional until you have enough research data to make a reasoned argument.

What does a good Research Question look like?

See the sample research questions in the table below to get a sense of what a good RQ looks like.

The examples in the table give guidance on the difference between unclear and unfocused research questions and those that are appropriately clear and focused, lending themselves to in-depth research.