Formulation of Good Research Questions

Question: Discuss about the Formulation of Good Research Questions. Answer: Introduction Formulation of a research question forms the basis of any given research project. It makes the researcher well conversant with the tasks to be carried out to come up with accurate and reliable results. The research question ought to be manageable within the contemporary situation(Shah, 2012). An analysis of the research question should be precise enough to outline the requirements for the research. Knowledge of the resources and personnel required is crucial. There is no predefined procedure on how to come up with precise research questions but some scholars have proposed some guidelines to such. Such tips include clarity, specificity, relevance, expertise and interest. The question should be clear, brief and free from ambiguity(Clarke, 2014). This is to ensure that the others can understand the kind of the research. Questions that tend to be too personal may keep off the participants in fear of their intimacy being interfered with. Verbosity should be avoided so that only a single meaning can be drawn from the question. Simple language and limited use of technical terms make the research even simpler. The clarity of question enables the researcher to gather more information as all the information gathered relevant. A specific concern about the topic is a firm foundation to formulating a good question. Too broad questions are not easily answerable. Specific questions make better research problems(Iannone, 2012). There is always too much to be said making the research not as extensive as it should have been. There will be simply less to be researched on as the individual has a lot to say about the overall dimension. Dealing with a portion at a time makes the research more meaningful. The question should be directly related to the topic. Astray questions often lead to irrelevance in research(Dolnicar, 2013). The study will be more significant if it is a continuation to knowledge that already exists. This helps to sustain the interest in the study and create interest in exploring even more about the given topic. Research is normally intended to build upon already existing knowledge. Adequate knowledge on the question is crucial for a great research question. One should make sure that they have enough expertise to handle the research question. The sources of the information required need to be available to provide the required information. Research projects often require funding to conduct. Before the formulation of the question, one should estimate the required finances and avail them in time. Adequate time to meet all the tasks outlined by the question is vital. However, knowledge from other sources has to be sought. Personal interest is another consideration in the formulation of a research question. Selecting an area of great interest sustains the required motivation in the research and enables the provision of sufficient detail. The interest acts as an incentive constantly gearing the effort to complete the research. Decide what you need to know and acquire the information. This encourages the commitment towards the project. Conclusion The application of the tips discussed above makes it easier to formulate a research question and fully assess the question to provide the required information and data. This helps to meet the criteria of a good research making it successful. Good research questions make research a more captivating activity. References Clarke, M. (2014). The Archaeology of the Book: Formulating Analytical Research Questions. E-Conservation Journal, 10-16. Dolnicar, S. (2013). Asking Good Survey Questions. Journal of Travel Research, 551-574. Iannone, C. (2012). A Good Question? Academic Questions , 430-442. Shah, N. (2012). How to Formulate a Clinical Question and Effectively Search for the Answer.MedEdPORTAL Publications , 5-6.