How to Write a Research Question (With Examples)
Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Alexander Holtermann · Updated 16 October 2026 · 5 min read
A strong research question is open, focused, and answerable with your data. Start with “how”, “why”, or “to what extent” and name population and context.
Key takeaways
- A good research question is open (not yes/no), focused (one population, context, and aspect), researchable, and relevant to your field.
- Start with “how”, “why”, “what”, or “to what extent”; questions starting with “is” or “does” usually invite a one-word answer.
- Quantitative questions name variables and their relationship; qualitative questions ask about experiences, meanings, or processes.
- Frameworks help: PICO in health (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome), PEO for qualitative studies (Population, Exposure, Outcome).
- A term paper needs one research question; a dissertation typically has one main question plus two to four sub-questions.
Why the research question matters
The research question is the backbone of your paper or dissertation. It decides which literature you read, which method you use, what data you collect, and how you structure your discussion. Examiners check at the end whether you actually answered it. A vague question almost always produces a vague paper.
You rarely get it right on the first try. Expect to rewrite your question three to five times as you read: each version should be more specific than the last.
Criteria for a strong research question
Use these five criteria to test any draft question. If it fails one, revise before you continue reading or collecting data.
| Criterion | Test | Weak | Stronger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Cannot be answered with yes or no | Does social media affect sleep? | How does evening social media use relate to sleep quality? |
| Focused | Names population, context, aspect | …in people? | …among first-year undergraduates in the UK? |
| Researchable | Data or sources are available | What will students think in 2040? | What do current students expect…? |
| Relevant | Connects to a gap or debate | Trivial or already answered | Addresses a gap named in recent studies |
| Neutral | Does not presume the answer | Why is remote work bad for teams? | How does remote work affect team communication? |
Quantitative vs. qualitative research questions
The wording of your question signals your method. Quantitative questions ask about measurable variables, differences, or relationships, and often lead to hypotheses. Qualitative questions ask about experiences, perceptions, meanings, or processes, and are usually more open.
| Type | Typical wording | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Descriptive (quant.) | What is the level/proportion of… | What proportion of US undergraduates work more than 20 hours per week? |
| Comparative (quant.) | Is there a difference in… between… | Is there a difference in exam anxiety between first-year and final-year students? |
| Relational (quant.) | What is the relationship between… and… | What is the relationship between weekly study hours and GPA? |
| Exploratory (qual.) | How do… experience/describe… | How do international students describe their first month at a UK university? |
| Process (qual.) | How does… develop/unfold… | How do student teams negotiate roles in group projects? |
Step by step: from topic to question
Use this sequence to turn a topic into a researchable question. Write down every version; seeing the progression helps you explain your choices in your introduction or proposal.
- 1. Start with your topic: “Students and part-time jobs.”
- 2. Read and find a problem or gap: studies focus on grades; little on well-being.
- 3. Ask an open question: “How do part-time jobs affect students?”
- 4. Narrow it: “How do part-time jobs affect the well-being of full-time undergraduates?”
- 5. Specify context and aspect: “How do undergraduates at UK universities who work more than 15 hours per week describe the effect of their job on stress and sleep?”
- 6. Check feasibility: can you reach these students in your timeline? If yes, it is ready.
Frameworks: PICO, PEO, and SPIDER
Structured frameworks are standard in health, nursing, psychology, and systematic reviews. They force you to name every element and make the literature search easier, because each element becomes a search concept.
| Framework | Elements | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PICO | Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome | Clinical and intervention studies, quantitative reviews |
| PEO | Population, Exposure, Outcome | Qualitative and observational studies |
| SPIDER | Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type | Qualitative evidence synthesis |
Sub-questions and where the question appears
In a dissertation, break your main question into two to four sub-questions. Together they should fully answer the main question, and each one often corresponds to a chapter or a section of your results.
Your research question should appear in at least three places: at the end of the introduction, at the end of the literature review (justified by the gap), and in the discussion or conclusion, where you answer it explicitly. Use the same wording each time so the examiner can easily track it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good research question example?
“How do first-generation undergraduates at a large public US university describe their sense of belonging during their first semester?” It is open, focused, researchable, and relevant.
How many research questions should a dissertation have?
Usually one main question and two to four sub-questions. A term paper normally needs only one question.
What is the difference between a research question and a hypothesis?
A research question asks what you want to find out; a hypothesis is a testable prediction about the answer, used mainly in quantitative research.
Can a research question start with “is” or “does”?
In quantitative studies, comparative questions like “Is there a difference…” are acceptable because they map onto statistical tests. Otherwise, prefer open questions starting with “how”, “why”, or “to what extent”.
Where does the research question go in a paper?
At the end of the introduction. In dissertations it is repeated after the literature review and answered explicitly in the discussion or conclusion.
Sources and further reading
- Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., Williams, J. M., Bizup, J., & FitzGerald, W. T. (2016). The Craft of Research (4th ed.). University of Chicago Press.
Your university’s examination regulations and style guide always take precedence.
Related articles
- Choosing a research topicStart from your interests, read recent reviews to find gaps, narrow until one question fits your time and sources, then test it with your supervisor.
- Thesis statementA thesis statement is one or two sentences, usually at the end of your introduction, stating your main claim and the reasons that support it.
- Research proposalA research proposal explains what you will study, why it matters, and how you will do it: title, background, questions, method, timeline, references.
- Writing a hypothesisA hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables. Write a null (H₀) and an alternative hypothesis (H₁) for each test.
- Quantitative vs qualitativeQuantitative research measures and tests hypotheses with numbers; qualitative research explores meanings with words. Your research question decides.
- Writing an introductionA strong introduction moves from context to problem to gap, then states your research question or thesis and previews the structure. Write it last.
