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Summary How to formulate your research question
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This is a step-by-step approach on how to formulate a research question for your dissertation/ assignments.
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Research Question(s) The problem itself may be a broad one but the researcher must convince others that
he/she will be specific in what is to be researched
Main Research questions clearly delineated (sets the boundaries of the study)
Scope of the research question(s) needs to be manageable within the time frame
and context of the study.
The overall research question is complemented by a few secondary/sub-questions
that are narrow and focused on key data collection requirements
What kinds of questions might we want to ask?
Questions about perceptions and experience – of service‐users, families, carers.
Questions about how we develop and deliver services.
Questions about the effectiveness of interventions and services.
Questions about the acceptability and feasibility of services.
Questions about prevention and health promotion.
Questions about cost‐effectiveness.
Types of research questions:
Predicting an outcome (does y happen under circumstances a and b?)
Explaining causes and consequences of a phenomenon (is y affected by x?)
Evaluating a phenomenon (does y exhibit the benefits that it is claimed to have?)
Describing a phenomenon (what is y like or what forms does y assume?)
Developing good practice (how can we improve y?)
Empowerment (how can we enhance the lives of those we research?)
Different kinds of questions need different kinds of answers.
What constitutes the best source of information / data / evidence will depend on the
question being asked. – i.e. the kind of question you are asking suggests the use of a
particular method, or methods.
Attributes of good research questions
Look for these attributes:
o Who? What? Where? When? (has to be clear)
o Must be narrow, specific, focused and worded as a question
o Must be posed in a way that can be answered by observable evidence
o Research question must be capable of being confirmed or refuted (arguable).
o The question and the methodology are congruent.
o Require analysis
o We don’t already know the answer
o The answer to the question should have significant potential relevance for
guiding social welfare policy or social work practice
o Make sure it passes the “SO WHAT?” test
o There must be more than one possible acceptable answer to the question
Research questions – qualitative study
Tend to collect words as data.
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