How do you write a research question?

Write a research question that is focused, answerable with available evidence, and appropriate for the assignment’s scope. A useful question guides investigation rather than announcing a conclusion you intend to prove regardless of the evidence.

Narrow the issue until evidence can address it

Start with a broad interest, do preliminary reading, and identify a specific population, period, comparison, or relationship. Fictional example: “Does social media affect students?” becomes “How do first-year students describe the effect of notification settings on their study routines?” The narrower question still needs an appropriate research method and feasible access to evidence.

Check whether your assignment calls for an argument, literature review, or original investigation. Do not collect personal data from others without required approval. Revise the question when preliminary evidence shows it is too broad, too narrow, or based on a mistaken assumption.

Your next steps

• Identify the assignment’s scope and allowed methods.
• Narrow the topic using preliminary credible sources.
• Test whether available evidence can answer the question.