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Research Questions
Research Questions
A research question is...
A question that a research project sets out to answer.
Answerable inquiries into a specific concern or problem.
The central issue to be resolved by a formal dissertation, thesis, or research project.
Why are Research Questions Important?
Why are Research Questions Important?
Specifying a research question is typically one of the first steps an investigator takes when undertaking research. RQs...
Specify research problem.
Focus the study.
Identify the specific objectives the study or paper will address.
Drive research philosophy, paradigm, worldview or set of belief.
Determine what type of study to be conducted such as a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed study.
Guide all stages of inquiry, analysis, & reporting.
Good vs Bad Research Questions
Good vs Bad Research Questions
Good Research Questions
Good Research Questions
Answerable/Feasible
Adequate number of subjects
Adequate technical expertise
Affordable in time and money
Manageable in scope
Focus/Precise
Relevant
To scientific knowledge
To policy
To future research
Intriguing/Interesting
Getting the answer intrigues investigator, peers and community
Pertinent/Important
Novel
Confirms, refutes or extends previous findings
Bad Research Questions
Bad Research Questions
✔Trivia questions.
✔Answerable with a quick Yes or No.
✔Answerable with a 5-minutes search in Google.
✔Asking for opinion that cannot be supported.
✔Irrelevant to research problem.
Types of Research Questions
Types of Research Questions
RQs in a quantitative research should be Objective Questions, which are "WHAT" or YES/NO Questions.
Descriptive/Attributive:
Descriptive/Attributive:
To describe attributes of something - Univariate
What is the market share of our potato chips in Java island?
Are Malaysian cities experiencing budget difficulties?
Correlational/Associative
Correlational/Associative
Knowing the amount X helps to predict the amount of Y (predictive) - Bivariate
Is knowledge of Disneyland associated with visiting Disneyland?
Are people who live closer to Disneyland more apt to visit Disneyland?
Causal
Causal
X causes/affect Y (causal/understanding) - Bivariate
What is the effect of frequent exposure to Disneyland advertising on number of attendance at Disneyland?
Does discount tickets for local residents increase the crowds at Disneyland?
What is the effect of service quality on customer satisfaction and loyalty?
Research Objectives
Research Objectives
Aims vs Objective
Aims vs Objective
Aims
Aims
Are broad statements of desired outcomes, or the general intentions of the research project.
Emphasize what is to be accomplished (not how it is to be accomplished).
Address long-term research project outcomes.
Cannot be observed/intangible and unmeasurable.
Abstract and General
Objective
Objective
Are the steps, which are going to take to answer RQ needed to accomplish the goals of the project.
Emphasize how aims are to be accomplished.
Address the more immediate project outcomes.
Can be observed and measurable.
Specific/Narrow
When Writing Research Objective...
When Writing Research Objective...
The purpose of study.
To solve the problem or to find answers to RQs.
Should be stated in the form that can answer RQs.
Will be a guide to research hypotheses & conceptual framework.
Must be achievable.
Must be in line with RQs.
Some Keywords
Some Keywords
To identify • To investigate • To examine • To establish • To describe • To determine • To estimate • To develop • To compare • To analyze • To collect • To assess • To review • To explain • To provide • To explore
Research Objective Must be SMART
Research Objective Must be SMART
Specific - involves clear specification of what the researcher wants to achieve. It involves specifying what, why and how things will be done. This reduces the chances of ambiguities and any misunderstanding in the future.
Measurable - must be measurable and dynamic so that constant feedback can be generated for improvement.
Achievable - must be achievable with the resources that are available.
Realistic - must be easier to deliver so that complications that can hamper the quality of the research can be avoided. Other considerations to be kept in mind are the budget and timeline.
Timeframe - researcher must estimate whether the set goals can be achieved within the given time frame or not.
Examples
Examples
Descriptive/Attributive:
Descriptive/Attributive:
To describe attributes of something - Univariate
To measure the market share of our potato chips in Java island.
To investigate whether the Malaysian cities are experiencing budget difficulties.
Correlational/Associative
Correlational/Associative
Knowing the amount X helps to predict the amount of Y (predictive) - Bivariate
To investigate the association between knowledge of Disneyland and visiting Disneyland.
To examine the relationship between the distance of residence and tendency to visit Disneyland.
Causal
Causal
X causes/affect Y (causal/understanding) - Bivariate
To investigate the effect of frequency of exposure to Disneyland advertising on number of attendance at Disneyland.
To examine the effect of discount tickets and the crowds at Disneyland for local residents.
To examine the the effect of service quality on customer satisfaction and loyalty?
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