Research Question
What is the significance of the research question?
Doctoral Seminar: Research Methodology I November 3rd, 2011
Stefan Bischoff, HSG (11-618-303) Tanja Rädler, ETH (04-1820-02)
1.
Introduction
In a research project the researcher is either provided with a research idea by an organization/university or he/she has to generate it by himself/herself. In both cases defining the research question is of major importance for the success of the research project. In this short overview we focus on the significance of research questions when one has to generate the idea and topic of a research project individually. The goal of this short paper is to show, why a clear research question is important for successful research and for a rigorous paper or thesis. In addition it outlines how a research question can be formalized in a sound form. Therefore the first chapter of this paper describes the different kinds of research questions and their characteristic. Chapter three focuses on the development process of a research question and chapter four concentrates on the research questions task and its impact on a research project. We conclude by summarizing how it impacts our thesis.
2.
What is a research question?
Generally a research question can be defined as a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied (Campbell et. al., 1982). The research question usually consists of one or two sentences that state precisely what will be confirmed, refuted or generally answered. There are several ways to draw a research question. One possibility is to start from a broad idea and then narrow it down. Another approach is to begin with a specific question and generalize it in order to identify the overall research area. In either case it is important to distinguish the research question from the broader research area or the overall topic. Any topic will be difficult to research if it is too broad or too narrow. Thus for a proper paper or thesis a suitable and
Doctoral Seminar: Research Methodology I November 3rd, 2011
Stefan Bischoff, HSG (11-618-303) Tanja Rädler, ETH (04-1820-02)
1.
Introduction
In a research project the researcher is either provided with a research idea by an organization/university or he/she has to generate it by himself/herself. In both cases defining the research question is of major importance for the success of the research project. In this short overview we focus on the significance of research questions when one has to generate the idea and topic of a research project individually. The goal of this short paper is to show, why a clear research question is important for successful research and for a rigorous paper or thesis. In addition it outlines how a research question can be formalized in a sound form. Therefore the first chapter of this paper describes the different kinds of research questions and their characteristic. Chapter three focuses on the development process of a research question and chapter four concentrates on the research questions task and its impact on a research project. We conclude by summarizing how it impacts our thesis.
2.
What is a research question?
Generally a research question can be defined as a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied (Campbell et. al., 1982). The research question usually consists of one or two sentences that state precisely what will be confirmed, refuted or generally answered. There are several ways to draw a research question. One possibility is to start from a broad idea and then narrow it down. Another approach is to begin with a specific question and generalize it in order to identify the overall research area. In either case it is important to distinguish the research question from the broader research area or the overall topic. Any topic will be difficult to research if it is too broad or too narrow. Thus for a proper paper or thesis a suitable and