How to Create a Strong Research Question for Your Dissertation

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How to Create a Strong Research Question for Your Dissertation

A strong research question is the foundation of your dissertation. It helps guide your research and shapes your entire study. To create a solid research question, follow these steps:

1. Identify Your Research Area

  • Choose a Broad Topic: Start with a broad field of interest. This could be a subject you’re passionate about or an area where you want to make a significant contribution. For example, in education, a broad topic might be “the impact of digital technology on student learning.”

  • Narrow It Down: Once you have a broad topic, narrow it down by focusing on specific aspects, issues, or subtopics. A narrower focus makes your question more manageable and researchable.

2. Ask a Clear, Focused Question

  • Specific and Precise: A good research question is specific, clear, and unambiguous. It should focus on one clear idea or problem that you intend to explore. For example, instead of asking, “How does social media impact people?”, you might ask, “How does social media use influence political opinions among young adults in the U.S.?”

  • Avoid Overly Broad or Vague Questions: Too broad of a question may lead to an overwhelming amount of data, making your study unmanageable. A vague question can result in a lack of focus and direction. Make sure the question is focused enough to guide your research effectively.

3. Ensure Feasibility

  • Answerability: Make sure that the question can be answered with the data and resources you have access to. Consider the time frame, tools, and methodology available to you. A good research question should be achievable within the limits of your dissertation.

  • Practical and Ethical Considerations: Ensure that the question is researchable in practical terms, such as whether you can collect relevant data and whether the study can be conducted ethically.

4. Make It Relevant and Significant

  • Contribution to the Field: Your research question should contribute to your field by addressing an unresolved issue, exploring a gap in the literature, or offering a new perspective on a familiar problem. Ensure your question addresses something significant to both scholars and practitioners.

  • Impact and Implications: Consider how answering your research question will impact your field. Will it inform future research, policy, or practice?

5. Ensure It’s Researchable

  • Operationalize the Question: Your question should be one that can be researched through data collection, analysis, and interpretation. It should be clear enough that you can develop a methodology around it (e.g., qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, etc.).

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